| O.D. Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | O.D. Wilson September 12, 1954 Winter Haven, Florida |
| Died | October 29, 1991 (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]
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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]
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]
Powerlifting