Wilford Hall Nurse wins USA Power Lifting Competition Published April 14, 2009 By Senior Airman Josie Kemp 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE,Texas -- A nurse consultant for the Critical Care Air Transport Team at Wilford Hall Medical Center won the USA Power Lifting Military Nationals competition in Killeen, Texas, on March 14. After only three years in competitive power lifting, Andre Gholson has won the USAPL Texas State Championship for the second consecutive year for his performance in full competition, which included bench press, squats and dead lift. Mr. Gholson, 38-year-old retired Army veteran, received first place for the 275-pound weight division and first place for bench press in his weight class. Mr. Gholson lifted 450 pounds on the bench press, squatted 705 pounds, and picked up 628 pounds in the dead lift competition. "I did body building when I was younger, between the ages of 17-23, then I started doing bench press competitions," said Mr. Gholson. "I wanted to get into strong man, but a friend asked if I had any interest in doing a full power lifting competition." Mr. Gholson's very first competition didn't start at the bottom. Instead, he went straight to military nationals power lifting in 2006 where he also took first place in the 275-pound weight class. According to the USAPL website, athletes are categorized by sex, age and bodyweight. Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift with the best lift in each discipline being added to their total. The lifter with the highest total is the winner. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the same total, the person with the lightest bodyweight wins. In order to compete in a USAPL event, all athletes must be drug tested to ensure that all athletes have gained their strength and muscle naturally. "It's hard work... it's hard to stay strong," said Mr. Gholson.