Kudo Jang
May 2015 - Kudo Jang
Please introduce yourself. Who are you? How old are you? Where were you born? Etc. Give the
readers some background about yourself.My name is Kudo Jang, I am Korean-American, and I am 22 years old. I was born in Flushing New York, but I moved to Atlanta, Georgia before I was two-months old. I recently graduated from Georgia Tech with a B.S. in Biology and will be matriculating into the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta this upcoming fall.
Do you compete equipped (squat suit, bench press shirt & deadlift suit) or unequipped (no suits) or both and what weight class(s) and divisions(s) do you compete in?
I have only competed twice in my life. One meet was done raw and the other was done equipped. My first meet I competed in the Raw Jr. 60kg (132lb) division, and at my second meet I competed in the Collegiate Equipped 59kg (130lb) division.
What was your last competition and how did you do?
My last competition was the USAPL Collegiate Nationals held in Atlanta, GA on April 10, 2015. My best attempts were Squat: 192.5kg (424 lb), Bench: 135kg (298lb), Deadlift: 192.5kg (424lb), Total: 520kg (1146lb). I went 8 for 9 and placed 4th overall and was excited to have competed against such strong lifters and at that level considering the amount of time I had spent learning how to use the equipment.
When was your first competition?My first competition was the USAPL GA & Southern States Powerlifting Championships on October 25, 2014. I competed Raw and had a lot of fun. I totaled 970 lb at this meet.
How did you improve from your first competition to your most recent?
It is difficult to compare the number from my most recent competition to my first competition due to one being Raw and the other being equipped. However; it is definite that my training for my second meet was much more deliberate, well programmed, and well coached compared to my first meet. I give my greatest thanks to my coaches, Mark Freeman, Sherman Ledford, Josh Rohr, and Arthur Bui.
What is your next competition?
I plan to compete at the USAPL Raw Nationals this upcoming October in Scranton, PA. I am unsure if I will compete before then.
What do you plan on doing differently for that meet if anything?
I plan to attack every attempt with even more aggression while staying methodical. I let my first squat attempt throw me off track from placing a little higher, but I won’t let that happen again!
Where are you located in Georgia and where do you train at?
I live in Atlanta, GA near Georgia Tech. I primarily train at the Citadel Nutrition gym alongside my fellow members of Georgia Tech Barbell Club. I also spent a lot of time training at Quest gym in Duluth, GA.
What are your hobbies (other than powerlifting)?
I enjoy pottery, playing guitar, and eating adventurous foods. I still have a lot of room for improvement in my hobbies, but that is what makes them exciting for me.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is David Livingstone (1813-1873). He was a Scottish missionary, a physician, an explorer and an abolitionist that stood up for his convictions in life. He was one who displayed incredible character, compassion, and respect in a completely counter-cultural way. I too wish to be as well-rounded in spirit, mind, and body as I begin my journey as a future doctor.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I am incredibly involved in social work and humanitarian efforts. I have been tutoring students from refugee backgrounds for the past 3 years, serving homeless men and women breakfast, and have been actively involved in taking up the care and cause of the North Korean people.
Is there anything about powerlifting you would like to change or wish was different?
I think they need to add in the strict curl as one of the competition lifts (I am completely joking, I love powerlifting as it is)
What is your occupation? Does it interfere with competing or visa versa?
I am a full-time student. Training and competing never seem to fall at the most ideal times, but I have learned that I can always make time for the things that I find important.
How did you get into powerlifting and how many years have you been competing?
I began powerlifting when a friend began to help me with the big three lifts. The community has been incredibly supportive and I have been competing for less than a year.
Are you involved in powerlifting in any way besides as a competitor?
I eagerly volunteer for spotting and loading to keep meets efficient and safe for the competitors.
What are your biggest squat, bench press, deadlift and total numbers? And how do your best training numbers compare to your best competition numbers?
My biggest training numbers Raw are 365/260/395 total: 1020lb. I am unsure what my numbers in equipped are because I did not program any of my gear training.
What advice would you give a new lifter just starting out?
My advice for a new lifter just starting out is to find a mentor. Nothing has helped me progress further or faster than the help of my coaches.
What are your short term goals now as a lifter?My short term goals are to deadlift 405 raw. I just cannot get it off the ground right now.
What are some long term goals you would like to achieve?
My long term goals would be to compete on an international platform.
Who is your favorite powerlifter of all time?
My favorite powerlifter of all time is Sherman Ledford. He has shown me incredible support and displayed his skill in his craft to me not only as a lifter, but as a coach, a nutritionist, and as a business man.
Can you describe your training philosophy and/or a typical training session?
More gear, more aggressive.
What is your favorite lift, squat or bench press or deadlift or all three and why?
My favorite lift is the squat because when I put on all the gear I feel like I am Iron Man and I can lift any amount of weight.
Who is the most impressive lifter you have competed against?
The most impressive lifter I competed against was Josue Leone from Louisiana Tech. He totaled 570kg (1257lb) at 2015 Collegiate Nationals with a monster deadlift of 534lb.
Do you have any rivals in powerlifting?
Maybe in the future, but my only rival is myself right now.
If we're sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it's been for you, what would be the reason?
We would be celebrating the amazing friends and community that I have come to make and be a part of. I thank everyone who has helped me in the past, I could not have gotten to this point on my own.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I wish everyone who reads this my blessings in all your hopes, dreams, and future endeavors, whether related to Powerlifting or not.
Best regards,
Kudo Jang
