Demitri Whitaker competed in the American Powerlifting Association Raw Power Lifting Nationals held in Defuniak, Fla. in April and set a new world record for 18-19 year olds for his weight group by dead lifting 617 pounds. He also set a new world record by squatting 578 pounds and an Indiana state record by benching 335 pounds for a total raw lift of 1,530 pounds, breaking the previous world record by 180 pounds. Whitaker said he became interested in lifting two years ago and started a regular program of working out at the Warsaw YMCA. “My first goal was to make it into the 1000 Pound Club. It took me several weeks but I remember the pure joy of finally hitting this goal at my first competition held at our local Y. “I am very fortunate that Rob Marshall offered to help me. I also had several others from the Warsaw YMCA lifting team like Jason Price, Josh Frantz, and Dan Thompson that helped guide and push me to be the best I could be, and I am eternally thankful to them.”
