Wade Hooper - 165 lbs.

Ht:5'3"

Hometown:Baton Rouge, LA

Family: Married 5 yrs. to Kimberly Lynn Hooper

Best Lifts:

SQ: 766 BP: 534; DL: 611; Total: 1,890

There have been few dominant champions like Wade Hooper. Year after year, Wade secures his spot on the World team, and with having just set 2 IPF records in 2006, we are willing to bet this trend will continue. Wade set the IPF World Squat record of 766lbs. and a new World Bench mark of 534 lbs. last November at the IPF Worlds in Stavanger, NOR. The lifts carried Wade to his 2nd Open World title in 3 years and brings to mind the question of "What will we be in store for once the Nationals arrive?"

The safe bet is that there will be more IPF World Records attempted and that the place will be in an uproar; but this author is willing to go a little farther and bet the farm that more records will fall. Come this July, you won't want to miss the 165's!
Years competing:

18 years

Gym you train at:

Fletcher's House of Power

Powerlifting Team

Quest Nutrition

Prior sports background:

High School Football and Swimming

How has your life changed since you were here last for the Mens in 1999?:

I am now married to my awesome wife, Kim

Q: What made you decide to compete in powerlifting?

A: I started in high school to get stronger for football. I soon realized I was better at lifting.

Q: At what point did you have the lightbulb moment and realize "Hey, I actually have a shot at being the National Champion"?

A: When I was a senior in High School.

Q: Tell us about your profession: what do you do for a living?

A: I teach math at Dutchtown High School

Q: What are the most extreme conditions you've had to go through in training?

A: Getting back into to training after a 2 month lay-off due to a car wreck that almost killed me in 1993.

Q: Tell the readers what your daily meals consist of as the contest gets closer.

A: High protien, low carbs and of course Subway cookies.

Q: Now tell us all of the foods you'll eat in the weeks after the Mens Nationals

A: Anything.... especially Mexican.

Q: The all-time best meal you've ever had: where was it and what was it?

A: The Stratosphere in Las Vegas.

Q: You are stranded on an island: What CD, book, food and drink would you have with you

A: The Davinci Code, Metallica's "Master of Puppets", steak and Bass Ale.

Q: When not lifting, what are your hobbies?

A: Working on our house and hanging out with friends.

Q: You are not too ashamed to admit in high school you used to:

A: Be a nerd.

Q: People you would like to thank who have had a hand in your success:

A: John Inzer and Inzer Advance Designs, Sherman Ledford with Quest Nutrition, All the the guy and gals at Fletcher's house of power, and of course Kim.

Q: Single most life changing experience:

A: Meeting my wife.