Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Turner, a flight chief at the 372nd Training Squadron, and Tech. Sgt. Mario Silveira, an instructor at the 365th Training Squadron, gather all lifters and volunteers together for a group picture after the event’s conclusion at the 2025 Scary Strong Powerlifting Competition held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2025. The annual event determines Sheppard’s strongest and sponsors the winners to the 2026 USAPL Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rafael E. Foster Gonzalez)

Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jacob Ramos, an Airman in Training assigned to the 82nd Training Wing, participates in the deadlift portion of the Scary Strong Powerlifting Competition held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2025. The annual event determines Sheppard’s strongest and sponsors the winners to the 2026 USAPL Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rafael E. Foster Gonzalez)

Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

U.S. Air Force Airman Zion Coleman, an Airman in Training assigned to the 82nd Training Wing and the 2nd Place Strongest AiT, competes in the bench press at the 2025 Scary Strong Powerlifting Competition held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2025. The annual event determines Sheppard’s strongest and sponsors the winners to the 2026 USAPL Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rafael E. Foster Gonzalez)

Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

Ms. Tatiana Flowers-Sucro, a civilian with the 82nd Training Wing, competes in the squat portion of the 2025 Scary Strong Powerlifting Competition held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2025. The annual event determines Sheppard’s strongest and sponsors the winners to the 2026 USAPL Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rafael E. Foster Gonzalez)

Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Horner, a section chief at the 365th Training Squadron, prepares to compete in the squat portion of the 2025 Scary Strong Powerlifting Competition held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2025. The annual event determines Sheppard’s strongest and sponsors the winners to the 2026 USAPL Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rafael E. Foster Gonzalez)

Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Darian Carter, an instructor at the 365th Training Squadron, prepares to attempt his first deadlift during the 2025 Scary Strong Powerlifting Competition held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2025. The annual event determines Sheppard’s strongest and sponsors the winners to the 2026 USAPL Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rafael E. Foster Gonzalez)

Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

U.S. Air Force Ret. Master Sgt. John Cooper, a civilian with the 82nd Training Wing, designed and crafted the plaques for the event’s winners at the 2025 Scary Strong Powerlifting Competition held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2025. The annual event determines Sheppard’s strongest and sponsors the winners to the 2026 USAPL Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rafael E. Foster Gonzalez)

Sheppard’s Scary Strong Raises Bar for Military Powerlifting

Published Dec. 12, 2025
By Courtesy of Scary Strong Organizers
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Sheppard Air Force Base hosted its fourth annual Scary Strong powerlifting competition in October, drawing 26 athletes to Pitsenbarger Fitness Center for a meet that tested squat, bench press, and deadlift. The event not only crowned winners but also served as a launchpad to the 2026 USA Powerlifting Military, Police, and Firefighter National Championship, scheduled for March 21 in Killeen, Texas. Sheppard has sent three airmen to Military Nationals the past three years, all earning top-three finishes.

This year’s meet featured divisions for Airmen in Training as well as a general category for permanent party, dependents, and civilians. Rankings were based on the standard DOTS powerlifting scoring system that compares lifters across different body weights and genders by measuring strength-to-weight performance.

Among the AiT, Airman Jayson Visconti of the 366th Training Squadron took the top spot with a total lift of 1,229 pounds, Airman Zion Coleman of the 366th TRS lifted 1,113 pounds, and Airman 1st Class Joshua Pineda of the 361st Training Squadron lifted 1,063 pounds. Additionally, 12 other lifters joined the prestigious 1,000-pound club this year.

On the permanent party side, Chris Maynard of the 82nd Security Forces Squadron recorded the highest total, lifting total 1,449 pounds. However, he chose to pass his sponsorship to Master Sgt. Brandon Hunt of the 365th Training Squadron who lifted 1,190 total pounds. On the women’s side, Mariah Fiorino earned a first-place finish with a total of 645 pounds.

Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Turner of the 372nd Training Squadron organized this year’s competition, as he has since its inception. Tech. Sgt. Mario Silveira of the 365th TRS, the 2024 Scary Strong winner and 2025 USAPL Military Nationals 110-kilogram bronze medalist, took on dual responsibilities this year as both an organizer and judge, helping plan and execute the event. Judging duties were carried out by Silveira and other former competitors, including 2022 Scary Strong winner and 2023 USAPL Military Nationals 75-kilogram gold medalist Staff Sgt. Mignon Van-Niekerk.

Scary Strong mirrors the format of USAPL meets to familiarize lifters with the sport’s standards and prepares them for higher-level competition. As the event continues to grow, organizers emphasize that Sheppard is building not only lifters but leaders. Those interested in future competitions, USAPL involvement, or strength training guidance are encouraged to reach out to Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Turner or Tech. Sgt. Mario Silveira.