Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kris Lindstrom | Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Michael Dudley, leading petty officer of Optometry at...... read more read more
PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Michael Dudley, leading petty officer of Optometry at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s Admiral Joel T. Boone Branch Health Clinic, wears multiple hats in his life as a U.S. Navy hospital corpsman, a sociology student, a family man, and also an accomplished competitive powerlifter.
Dudley holds the pound-for-pound national record for lifting 540 pounds, and he was recently invited to compete at the International Powerlifting Federation’s World Open in Tokyo, Japan, this May. Dudley worked hard in accomplishing his powerlifting goals, and is excited to get to this level in powerlifting competition.
“This platform is the highest platform there is right now,” said Dudley. “From what I have heard, they are trying to get it to an Olympic level. But right now, I just want to keep training and stay at this level and hopefully get invited back next year too.”
After joining the Navy in 2006, and before he began powerlifting, Dudley says that he couldn’t imagine doing anything different than being a corpsman.
“It means everything to be a corpsman,” said Dudley. “We do a little bit of everything. I have worked with the Marines getting dirty in the field, and I have worked in Physical Therapy, Optometry, and Preventive Medicine,” Dudley added. “We do everything and it’s awesome.”
Dudley frequented gyms throughout his time in the Navy and enjoyed lifting. It wasn’t until 2010 - while serving with the 3rd Medical Battalion in Okinawa, Japan - when everything changed.
“A retired master sergeant in the Marines just grabbed me and asked me to compete in the competition one day when I walked in the gym just to do a workout,” said Dudley. “I thought he was crazy but he convinced me to do it, and I did it and won.”
Dudley’s success took off in powerlifting by competing in the 206 to 230 pound weight class in any tournament offered in his area. In March 2018, Dudley was invited to the Arnold (Schwarzenegger) Sports Festival to perform in the “The Animal Cage” to test his strength alongside dozens of other former service members and athletes.
He said his invitation to “The Animal Cage” was a nice surprise. Even though he was the only active duty service member lifting, with the other participants being veterans or civilian athletes, he felt welcomed into the “Animal Pack” and likened it to how fellow Sailors would welcome him to a new Navy command.
Later that year, he set a record in his weight class, bench-pressing 540 pounds and finishing 2nd place in the same tournament. His efforts were obviously recognized when he received an invitation to compete in the World Open in Tokyo.
“It feels amazing! I am just blown away,” said Dudley. “I am just a normal guy in the Navy.”
Chief Hospital Corpsman Philip Dukette, Boone Clinic Ancillary Services leading chief petty officer and Dudley’s supervisor, recognizes the quality, discipline and modesty that Dudley portrays and believes he is inspirational for the junior Sailors around him.
“He’s not the guy to wear it on his sleeve,” said Dukette. “He’s very humble about what he does. He doesn’t boast or brag and that’s a quality in Sailors that we respect. He’s doing great things and continues on his free time.”
Dukette also recognizes the great sense of responsibility that Dudley has, and thinks that it makes him a very well-rounded Sailor.
“He is a totally self-motivated Sailor,” said Dukette. “He gets the job done in all aspects; here at work, at home, with weightlifting, and school. He is hitting all the wickets.”
With the support of his command, his Sailors, his family and friends, Dudley will be travelling to Tokyo in May to compete in the International Powerlifting Federation World Open.
| Date Taken: | 02.01.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2019 09:42 |
| Story ID: | 310411 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 272 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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