O.D. Wilson

O.D. Wilson
Born	O.D. Wilson September 12, 1954(1954-09-12) Winter Haven, Florida
Died	October 29, 1991(1991-10-29) (aged 37)
Occupation	Strongman Powerlifting
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight	400 pounds (180 kg)

Competition record
Strongman
Competitor for  United States
World's Strongest Man
2nd	1990 World's Strongest Man
5th	1991 World's Strongest Man
World Strongman Challenge
3rd	1989
2nd	1991
Pure Strength
2nd	1989 w/Bill Kazmaier
1st	1990 w/Bill Kazmaier
Powerlifting
Competitor for  United States
IPF National Championships
1st	1988
IPF World Championships
1st	1988

O.D. Wilson (September 12, 1954 – October 29, 1991) was a powerlifter and professional strongman competitor.^[1]

Strongman/Powerlifting

O.D. Wilson came very close to being the first American since Bill Kazmaier to win the 1990 World's Strongest Man title, losing by just half a point to Jon Pall Sigmarsson. Wilson vowed to win the 1991 World's Strongest Man title, but a back injury sustained just before the competition, a prolapsed disc, forced him to withdraw and he finished in fifth place. Wilson was known by the nickname "Nightmare", but was known for his genial character and big heart. Wilson spent 12 years in the military, 8 of those years spent overseas in Germany, Japan, and Korea.^[2] Prior to putting on weight, Wilson was a 200 m track athlete, all-American basketball player, boxed for 2 years in the Army, and was an avid racketball player.^[2] Wilson was a very successful powerlifter, rising to fame in the 1980s. He was a five time U.S. Services champion, and a five time U.S Army title holder.^[2] Wilson won the 1988 USPF National Super Heavyweight Powerlifting title, and was the 1988 IPF World Powerlifting Champion.^[2] Some of Wilson's training partners were also noted World's Strongest Man competitors including Rick "Grizzly" Brown, and James Perry, who competed in the 1992 World's Strongest Man in honor of O.D. Wilson.^[1]

Death

On October 29, 1991, while being interviewed on a radio program just a few weeks after the 1991 World's Strongest Man competition, Wilson complained of chest pains and went outside for some fresh air. Within moments he collapsed and died of cardiac arrest, he was just 37 years old.^[1]

Personal Records

Powerlifting

• Squat 462 kilograms (1,020 lb)
• Bench Press 257 kilograms (570 lb)
• Deadlift 406 kilograms (900 lb)
• Total 1,102.5 kilograms (2,431 lb)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Bill Henderson (May 7, 2010). "OD Wilson bio". Bill Henderson. http://strongestman.billhenderson.org/bios/od.html. Retrieved May 7, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} David Webster, Sons of Samson - Volume 2, page 61, (Ironmind Enterprises Inc: Nevada City), ISBN 0-926888-06-4

Persondata
Name	Wilson, O.D.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	September 12, 1954
Place of birth	Winter Haven, Florida
Date of death	October 29, 1991
Place of death