Personal: Kendrick Farris began lifting when he was 12-years-old after his uncle, Kevin Burns, read an article in the newspaper about a weightlifting development center for young athletes. Less than 10 years after his introduction to the sport, Farris won back-to-back National titles in 2006 and 2007 en route to qualifying for his first Olympic Team. Farris set two American Records at the Olympic Games in Beijing where he placed eighth. He attributes faith in God and hard work to his success and has his sights set on climbing onto the World and Olympic podiums. The 24-year-old juggles being a father to his five-year-old son Khalil with his quest for a clean and jerk World Record – a feat that he has come even closer to with practice lifts that are within eight kilograms of the World Record.

U.S. Olympic Athlete Kendrick Farris
Home: Shreveport, La.
Birthday: 7/2/1986
Weight Class: 85kg
Height: 5’7″
USA Weightlifting Club: Louisiana State University Shreveport
Coach: Kyle Pierce
Education: Attending Louisiana State University Shreveport

Most people don’t know that…I’ve done stand-up comedy… I’m a father… I am a Miami Dolphins fan…and I’m a down to earth guy

Most Influential person(s) in your sporting career: My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Monica Lockett (mother), Kyle Pierce (coach/pops), my family and friends
Hobbies/Interests outside of weightlifting: I enjoying doing comedy, editing/producing videos, playing video games (xbox 360) , and brainstorming )
Favorite Books: To Kill a Mockingbird, Uncommon, and Dreams From My Father
Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld
Favorite Music Genre: Good music…doesn’t matter as long as it is creative and has meaning
Favorite Food: Chef salad or Jumbo…pretty much anything my Wife Cooks

Teams:

Olympic Teams: 2008 (Eighth)

Senior World Championship Teams: 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006

Pan American Games Teams: 2007 (Fourth)
Pan American Championship Teams: 2010 (Gold), 2008 (Fourth)
Junior World Championship Teams: 2006 (Eighth)

Records Held:
American Record in the Clean and Jerk:
203kg (2010 Senior Pan American Championships)

American Record in the Total category:
362kg (2010 Senior Pan American Championships)

Recent Competition Results

2010:

Gold – Senior Pan American Championships
2009:

Gold – USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships
Gold – Rodger DeGarmo Memorial Invitational
Gold – USA Weightlifting National Collegiate Championships (94kg)
12th – Senior World Championships
2008:

Gold – USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships
Gold – U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Weightlifting
Fourth – Pan American Championships
Eighth – Olympic Games
2007:

Gold – USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships
Fourth – Pan American Games
2006:

Gold – USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships
Gold – USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships
Eighth – Junior World Championships
2005:

Gold – USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships
Gold – American Open
2004:

Gold – USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships (77kg)
Sixth – USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships (77kg)
2003:

Gold – American Open (77kg)
Fourth – USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships (77kg)
2002:

Silver – USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships (69kg, School-Age Division)
Seventh – American Open (77kg)
2001:

Bronze – USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships (69kg, School-Age Division)
Best Competition Snatch: 160kg
Date: August 15, 2008 @ Olympic Games

Best Competition Clean & Jerk: 203kg
Date: May 29, 2010 @ Senior Pan American Championships

Best Competition Total: 362kg
Date: May 28, 2010 @ Senior Pan American Championships

Favorite Competition Lift: Clean & Jerk

Favorite Training Lift: Clean grip dead lift

Best Squat: 260 kg

Best Front Squat: 217 kg

Best Power Snatch Single: 142 kg

Power Clean Single: 172 kg

International Competition Best: 2008 Olympic Games