450 lbs. is the average weight of an adult male grizzly bear. 474 lbs. is freshman Cooper Smith’s personal record for squatting. Smith has broken the Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s national record and the American Powerlifting Federation’s World record for his age and weight class.

Smith has trained for a long time in preparation for each competition.

“I have been training for nine months,” he said. “I do specialized workouts that target specific muscle groups, as well as eating a high protein diet. Once powerlifting season gets close, the workouts get extra heavy to try to improve my max weights for competition.”

At 5’8 and 275 lbs., Smith’s personal records are higher than most high school freshman. He has a squat of 474 lbs., bench of 275 lbs., and a deadlift of 336 lbs., making 1085 lbs. total.

“I started in January of 2024,” he said. “My dad talked to our neighbor, who has a son who lifts in college, about Coach Mike. I originally started lifting to get stronger for football. I soon realized I really liked the sport of powerlifting. Once I got my first taste of lifting competitively, I knew this is something that I wanted to do long term.

In his first powerlifting meet, Smith broke 1,000 lbs at 14 years old. Now, he has broken AAPF’s national record and APF’s world record.

“The record is by age and weight class, my record is for the 13 to 15-year-olds and 275 lbs weight class,” he said. “The record means a lot to me every time I think about it. It brings me joy and happiness. Achieving this record also makes me realize that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and a good support group.”

Smith is motivated by seeing his constant improvement. His parents are optimistic for his powerlifting journey as well.

“My main goal is to keep him safe,” Smith’s father, Chris Smith said. “When you look at a 14-year-old kid squatting 475 pounds, the dad in you is a little worried about that much weight. I want him to be successful in anything that he does. Good grades come first, then athletics. Hopefully, he breaks his record again in December and continues to grow his totals through high school. In four years if he wants to continue to lift in college, I’ll do whatever I can to support him and help him get that opportunity.”

Smith believes his family and coach are his biggest sources of support. Smith said his family has made sacrifices to keep him in the weight room as well as provided anything he needs for the sport. Smith said his coach has pushed him beyond his limits.

“I just try to be as involved as I can and encouraging,” Chris said.”I try to make sure he has whatever he needs whether it is equipment, food, or even time to rest. We have adjusted our lives as a family to make sure he can get to the gym when he needs to for practice. Cooper has an unbelievable powerlifting coach and he deserves way more credit than I do. I thank God every day that Mike Denmon has come into our lives.”

Smith is looking forward to continuing meets in the short term and one day becoming a World’s Strongest Man competitor in the future.

“My weights continue to go up and seeing that makes me want to work harder,” Smith said. “I see a future in this sport with a state championship and hopefully a college scholarship in my view.”

This story was originally published on The Bear Facts on September 9, 2024.