Don Oswald
Born: January 9, 1949
Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama
Current Residence: Montgomery, Alabama
What is your Alabama Connection?
Born in Andalusia, Alabama and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. Always lifted as Alabamian.
Current pursuits in life & powerlifting:
Retired School Administrator and still train Powerlifting lifts.
Lifting History:
When did you start weightlifting and what inspired you to start weightlifting?
Started lifting in high school to throw Shot Put for Sidney Lanier. My 1st workout was on May 30, 1968.
When did you get involved with powerlifting and what got you interested in the sport?
I continued lifting / competing at the University of Alabama on Bama's Weightlifting team.
What weight class(es) did you compete in? 181, 198, 220, 242, 264, 275, Super
What are your best lifts in each category in each weight class?
Best Lifts @ 242 lb. Weight Class
DEADLIFT
TOTAL
BENCH PRESS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
1800
655
500
RAW
WRAPS
705
How many years did you compete? (55 Years)
Between what year and what year did you compete? 1968-2023
What is the approximate total number of meets you competed in? 48
List your favorite meets you competed in.
These are some of them.
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Won Tri State Powerlifting in 1969 at 19 and benched 400 lbs.
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Winning my first State Championship in1969 at 20 years old
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Winning 2019 State Championships at 70 years old
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Placing 3 rd in 1970 Junior Nationals and Nationals Collegiate. (Met Robbie Robinson)
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Winning/Best Lifter at 1970 All South Collegiates
What’s the highest classification you achieved? Masters
What’s the highest score you achieved? 488.24 Wilks
What are some of your powerlifting accomplishments?
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10 times Alabama State Championships
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All South Collegiate 242 lb class champion and Best Lifter
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2 Third places in National Powerlifting Championships (Collegiates and Jr Nationals.
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Held numerous state, regional records.
Who are some of the most memorable lifters/people for you in your career?
Paul Anderson–He inspired me as a lifter and Christian. He was no doubt the Strongest Man
of his day.
In competitions I lifted with and saw numerous great lifters. Don Rienhout, Vince Anello, Mike
Cross, Bob McKee, Jon Kuc, Larry Pacifico, Jim Williams. Just to name a few of the greats.
Trained with some of the best training partners/powerlifters: Robert Humphreys, Frank
Barefield Jimmy Perry, Ray Tucker, Tim Sexton, Bill Rambo, Dr. John Fair.
With your name as part of the history of powerlifting in Alabama, what would you like
to be most remembered for?
Robert Humphreys and I directed the first 2 Alabama Powerlifting meets.
What words of wisdom would you like to pass down to future powerlifters?
Powerlifting is a lifelong activity that you can do to maintain your strength and fitness.
Consistence is the key. Don’t take long layoffs! Always have goals in your workouts.
What are some of your contributions to sport of powerlifting in Alabama?
All of the following: Meet Director, Judge, announcer, score table, spot/loader, expediter in State meets,
regionals, High school meets, Prison meets. Given exhibitions in schools and prisons. Trained
numerous powerlifters.