George Lazzareschi, Jr., also known as “The Big Dog” walks into Ocean State Gym on a daily basis to train, it’s a second job for him, one he is very passionate about, especially when you have been powerlifting well over 40 years. George is a 5x time world champion, and during his powerlifting career he has competed in over 90 competitions, competing in multiple State, Regional and National competitions. George has won multiple State, Regional and National and World competitions, he has 5 really Big Champion rings to prove it for lifting in some of the biggest shows in the sport of Powerlifting, like the Beast of the East, and the Baddest Bench of the East Coast, featured in powerlifting USA magazine and also in the top 100 Powerlifters holding number one for 10 years in his weight class for the Powerlifting USA magazine, George truly is a legend in the sport of Powerlifting. In addition, George has been Rhode Island State Chairman for the Elite Powerlifting Federation for the last six years conducting the powerlifting competitions at Ocean State gym, in Johnston, RI. Although George had made some amazing accomplishments in the World of Powerlifting, he wanted to do more, give back to children’s charities, so he formed his own organization known as The Dog House Powerlifting Organization for Children’s Charities, with this established organization whenever E.P.F. had a powerlifting competition in RI, George combined his love for the Sport and for children’s charities to raise funds for a child and support their cause.

The charity portion of the Powerlifting competition is co- chaired by Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian, an advocate of charities and fundraising, continuously giving back to the community, Mrs. RI Italia, 2014-2015, Mrs. Rhode Island America 2016 and now a powerlifter herself, trained by the one and only, George the Big Dog. Long-time friends, Gina began training to be in her best physical shape for the Mrs. America pageant held in Las Vegas in August, 2016, but, by September 2016, George had Gina training for her first powerlifting competition in November, 2016 where she was successful in taking 1st place for her age and weight class, created the State Record and qualified for the Regionals, Gina went on to winning 1st place for her age & weight in the Regionals and winning the Overall Championship Belt in the NE Regionals and qualifying for the Nationals to be held on April 14, 2018.

Our recipients of our past Charity fundraising include, Daine Johnson, a 5 year boy with brittle bone disease, Bobby Colantonio a young man who trained at Ocean State gym, receiving a full scholarship to Alabama State University, only to find out in his first year at college that he had bone cancer, which is now in remission, our most recent recipient, was acquired through Children’s Wishes an 11 year old boy with a heart condition, Joshua Jean Louis, who we trained in the gym to actually participate in the powerlifting competition, Joshua created the State record and won a belt for deadlifting 130 pounds his own body weight. We are able to raise funds for the charity through Sponsorships and the sale of T-shirts which are purchased by George and designed specifically for the child we are assisting. While George wears many hats and manages many aspects of the powerlifting competitions, he has a great team to support his success. His son Sloan Lazzareschi, is the Head Judge, Al Tridenti, Judge, Craig DeBartolo, Judge, Tony Palma, Judge, Mark Colozzi, Commentator & Judge, and his wife Lori Lazzareschi, maintains and tracks all the records of all the lifters with a special computer program , and the numerous volunteers that are Spotters, help with Set-Up, T-Shirt Sales and of course the Sponsors.

In January 2018, George seized the opportunity to purchase Elite Powerlifting Federation from Bill Durant of New Hampshire, Bill made the decision to sell the Federation due to health reasons. George immediately organized his Board to move forward with his goals. The Big Dog has Big Plans for the Sport and is striving to make the Federation one of the biggest federations in the US and will certainly keep Powerlifting – Rhode Island Strong! He will be aggressively recruiting State chairpersons in every state in the United States. Now that George is the President of Elite Powerlifting Federation, he had to step down as Rhode Island’s State Chairman, and he has proudly handed over his duties of State Chairman to his Son, Sloan Lazzareschi , an avid powerlifter himself who will follow in his father’s footsteps.

Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian is a Mother, Pageant Queen and now a Powerlifting Champion. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Roger Williams College majoring in Paralegalism with a minor in Business Management. Employed for the past 21 years as an Administrative/Executive Assistant for the RI Laborers District Council and the RI Judicial, Professional and Technical Employees Local Union 808, both affiliates of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.  

Gina was crowned Mrs. Rhode Island Italia in 2014-2015 and more recently Mrs. Rhode Island America in 2016. This Beauty became a Beast while training for the Mrs. America Pageant with the legendary Powerlifter George Lazzareschi, Jr. a/k/a “The Big Dog” Her first Powerlifting Competition was held in November 2016, where she won 1^st place for her age (50) and weight class as well as qualify for the regionals, won 1^st place at the Regionals, Overall NE Regional Champ and Qualified for Nationals, winning 1^st place at the Nationals and Overall National Champ for the Woman Masters Division. Accomplishing State, Regional & National Titles within a year and a half of Powerlifting!   

Gina a/k/a the Lil’ Dog gets pumped to Powerlift, spending time with Family, Friends and also spends her time volunteering in the community trying to make a positive impact in Rhode Island.  Volunteering for numerous charities, even formed a non-profit to raise awareness  to more charities. Presently, Gina is the Recording Secretary for Elite Powerlifting Federation and on the Board as a Charity Assistant for the Dog House Powerlifting Organization for Children’s Charities helping to organize Powerlifting Competitions and bring awareness to Children’s Charities.