Page 58 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2020

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
KNUTE DOUGLAS
Teacher at School, Powerlifter Outside the Classroom
The strongest men and women in the world compete
in powerlifting, a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press and deadlift.
story by A.J. Giardina photos by A.J. Giardina and courtesy of The International Powerlifting Federation
Knute Douglas, a 30-year-old special
ed teacher at D’Iberville High School, began lifting weights at the age of 12.
His vigorous training and tenacity have propelled Douglas into the national and international limelight as a member of the USA Powerlifting World team.
“I’ve won 14 national championships,” he said. “Three of them were teenage titles, three junior championships and one collegiate title. My last seven championships have been in the open division. For the last ve years I have been ranked the best 182 pound powerlifter in America.”
Douglas has soared on
the USA World Team,
having participated
internationally eight times, placing third twice and nishing fourth overall the last two times.
“During the Thanksgiving break, I traveled to Dubai, the site of the 2019 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Open Worlds and was only 25 pounds
from winning the world title,” Douglas said. “I returned home with a Gold Medal in the squat lifting 810 pounds, and a Silver Medal Deadlift of 716 pounds. I also hold two Open American records with a combined total of 2,015 pounds and a squat of 816 pounds.”
The former Oak Grove High School running back and soccer standout has followed in the footsteps of his dad, Je .
“My dad won numerous National Powerlifting Championships and was a former World Champion,” said Douglass. “He’s retired now and coaches me. He is also the assistant coach on the USA World Team. My dad gets more enjoyment training and
watching me now than he did when he was competing.”
Father and son are training for the USA Nationals set for Las Vegas in May. His D’Iberville students are hoping Douglas will lift up a sixth consecutive Open Title trophy.
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
58 | April 2020