Soldier progresses, dedicated in powerlifting

FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 11, 2015) -- The question, "have you ever thought about powerlifting?" paved the way for powerlifter and Soldier David "Hoot" Gibson's passion in powerlifting.

He is the Fort Benning Special Forces Liaison NCOIC for the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Command Group.

While active in CrossFit, Gibson said the question was proposed to him a few years ago; he ended up taking on the sport and competed in his first meet in an American Powerlifting Committee event in November 2013.

Gibson moved over to USA Powerlifting meets and said that's where he went on to become the 2014 Alabama State Champion in the 165-pound weight class.

"(I) took second at the (2014 USAPL Georgia & Southern States BP & Powerlifting Championships) and then in the same category (I took) second overall, military pound-for-pound," he said.

Powerlifter David Ramsey, Gibson's coach, said this is where Gibson broke the military American record in his weight class.

Gibson holds the Raw American deadlift record at 476 pounds in the 165-pound Male Military Open Division.

Ramsey said because USAPL's weight classification has merged with the International Powerlifting Federation, Gibson's new weight class will be 163 pounds in future competitions.

Already being structured and driven is what has helped Gibson with powerlifting, he said.

"It just felt like this was the place I needed to be," Gibson said. "I found a passion; I just love it."

With only a little over a year under his belt, Gibson said his past performances makes his future look bright.

He said what really turned him onto powerlifting was being able to compete against guys his size, because he wasn't able to do so in CrossFit.

Out of the three lifts - squats, bench press and deadlift - Gibson's favorite is deadlift.

To simply put it, he likes "to pick things up and put them down."

At his next competition March 14 at the USAPL Military Nationals & Southeastern States Bench Press Competition in Atlanta, Gibson said he intends to break his record by deadlifting 500 pounds although the record is "technically" unbreakable because of the change in weight classes.

Because he learns from his mistakes, Gibson said, his approach for reaching his goal of 500 pounds will not be the same as his record-breaking deadlift, which was not progressing through the weights and going "for broke."

For squats, two previous groin injuries have created a mental block for Gibson, which he said causes him to struggle somewhat.

Gibson said he plans to squat 356-360 pounds if he needs to at military nationals, but it'll depend on the competition he has that day.

For the bench press competition, he said he aims for his last attempt to be 270.1 pounds.

"I have had to recover from some tendonitis in my elbows, so this won't compare to what I normally do," Gibson said. "But I will eat some 'humble pie' in the bench and finish strong in the deadlift."

Ramsey said the key to a successful deadlift is having good form.

"(It's about) practicing the movement the right way," Gibson said. "Once you learn the basics of any movement, you can progress in the weight."

While maintaining a consistent diet, Gibson said his workout regimen happens in cycles; changing from hypotrophy, strength, power, building weaker muscles, inner thighs, adductors, to abductors and so on.

"You have to build the body to be able to contain that much pressure and that much weight," Gibson said.

Because he's in the Army, he said he has to find ways to go through five days of massive lifts and still be able to function.

"It's very complicated and requires time, (and I don't) want to interrupt Family time," Gibson said.

Mental preparation is essential, he said, giving an example of the Georgia state championships when it came to the crowd and his Family being there.

"My aunt and uncle were there, my wife was there ... and my kid's crying because I scream when I lift, so she's falling apart ... (I) want to go hug her," he said. "There are many things going on that'll wear you out."

Gibson said he coaches and watching Ramsey is what gave him a coach's perspective.

He said he wants powerlifters to not repeat his mistakes.

Ramsey and Gibson are also assistant coaches to Donald Bigham for the Army team that will be competing at military nationals.

Gibson said his personal goal is to become a world-ranked powerlifter by the time he hits the masters category.

Other goals, he said, include getting others to see powerlifting isn't only for guys twice his weight and hopes the Army will recognize the sport again since more active-duty Soldiers are involved.

Ramsey said it used to be an All-Army sport until budgets were cut.

Gibson said his long-term goal is to build a powerlifting program in Columbus.

"I am anticipating opening a gym ... in the tricity area in the next couple of months that will combine powerlifting, CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting and a source for everyone to become properly educated in lifting for whatever their goals are in life," he said.

He said is also plans to collaborate with Ramsey and the Tri-City Powerlifting team he developed in 2013.

Ramsey said Gibson shows dedication and drive in the sport.

"He lives it," Ramsey said. "He's the most motivated powerlifter I've been around in a long time."