New Sign Welcomes Visitors To Home Of Powerlifting Champ

This post was written and reported by Local Editor Alex Tiegen. 

Officials want everyone to know that a world class weightlifter calls Pasco County home.

So on Friday, July 26, they unveiled a sign on U.S. 19 at the Pasco-pinellas border that reads "Welcome to Pasco County home of Mike Ferrantelli IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) Bench Press World Champion." The sign stands just outside NorthernTools.

Mike Ferantelli, who has worked for the Pasco Sheriff's Office as a deputy since the 1980s, won the gold medal in his weight class at the Masters Bench World Press Championship in the Czech Republic in April.

Ferrantelli bench pressed 578.8 ponds to win the gold medal.

It's not the first time Ferrantelli has won an award in a competition either. Hes been lifting for 27 years.

Ferrantelli has lived in Pasco since he was 3 and graduated from Gulf High.