Three Tribe Soldiers powered through a weightlifting competition held on Camp Red Cloud, South Korea, on Dec 21.

Staff Sgt. Leonard Rosier, Kilbourne Dining facility manager, Pfc. Nathan Ruiz, a computer technician and Staff Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, a field artillery automated data system specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, placed first in their respective weight classes.

“Weightlifting has become a habit for me and I don’t see myself breaking this habit,” said Rosier who benched 335 lbs., squatted 295 lbs. and deadlifted 405 lbs. to win the heavyweight class. “Since 2008, I’ve competed in many competitions always placing first because of my weight class.”

Ruiz didn’t change much to his workout routine, training approximately two hours four days a week leading up to the competition. Ruiz won the middleweight class, benching 335 lbs., squatting 355 lbs. and deadlifting 405 lbs.

“I already train to be stronger. So, I used the competition as a means to see the progress I’ve made,” said Ruiz, a San Antonio, Texas native. “Competing in powerlifting, wrestling, and cross country during high school taught me discipline which is a key part to everyday army life and prepared me for army pt.”

Gonzalez was simply looking forward to testing himself and competing against other Soldiers and civilians from Area 1. Gonzalez won the featherweight class benching 250 lbs., squatting 335 lbs. and deadlifting 365 lbs.

“This competition was my first and I definitely liked it. Playing sports and lifting helps with both mental and physical rigors and is a huge stress reliever,” said Gonzalez, a Los Angeles, CA native. “I’m very competitive and hate to lose. So, I will highly consider competing again.”

The event was hosted by the CRC Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers Program and coordinated by Spc. Robert Kearney, wheeled vehicle mechanic, Headquarters Support Company, HHBN, 2nd Inf. Div. Combined.

“Like with other B.O.S.S. events, the weightlifting competition was intended to build esprit-de-corps,” said Kearney, HSC, HHBN, 2nd Inf. Div. Combined B.O.S.S. representative. “Though not being co-located on one installation presents challenges in putting together an event like this, the event was rewarding because the Soldiers loved it. Soldiers love to compete.”

The event included 19 participants with 18 Area 1 Soldiers and one civilian competing in four weight classes: super heavy, heavy, middle and featherweight classes.

“When I asked Soldiers what they wanted, they wanted a weightlifting competition,” said Kearney. Kearney noted the event was the first he’s seen in almost a year since he arrived to the Warrior Division.