Spc. Victor Vasquez, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, practices the weighted squat during the USA Powerlifting’s 2026 Military and Police/Firefighter National Powerlifting Championships March 21 at the Killeen Civic Center in Killeen, Texas. The USA Powerlifting’s 2026 Military and Police/Firefighter National Powerlifting Championships is a national qualifying event for the 2026 International Drug Free Powerlifting Association Student and University World Championship scheduled for May in Tampa, Florida.
KILLEEN, Texas — The Phantom Warrior Powerlifting Team delivered a winning performance at the USA Powerlifting National Championship on March 21, at the Killeen Civic Center, securing first place in the team category.
The championship, one of the premier events in the sport, brings together elite lifters from across the country who have qualified through rigorous regional competitions, making the team’s victory a significant achievement for both the installation and its surrounding community.
The USA Powerlifting’s 2026 Military and Police/Firefighter National Powerlifting Championships is a national qualifying event for the 2026 International Drug Free Powerlifting Association Student and University World Championship scheduled for May in Tampa, Florida.
Phantom Warriors head coach Johnny A. Graham, endearingly known as ‘Truck’ by his team, said the team trained heavily to prepare for the event.
“A lot of hard work,” Graham said. “The lifters train after duty hours. They don’t train during duty hours. So it’s a lot of hard work involved. We’re in the gym from 5 o’clock in the afternoon to 8 o’clock at night.”
The competition consisted of three events; the squat, bench press and deadlift. Competitors were separated into divisions based on gender, age and bodyweight.
Capt. Korina Martinez, an air defense artillery officer, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, achieved personal records in all her lifts with a 413-pound squat, 198-pound bench press and a 440-pound dead lift, earning the gold medal for her division.
“I feel relieved,” Martinez said. “I’m very happy with all my numbers.”
She praised her coach, saying he’s been vital to her success as a lifter.
“My coach, ‘Truck,’ he’s been absolutely incredible,” Martinez said. “I came into his team with a very open mind, and I was self-taught. He literally changed up my technique almost completely in all lifts, and that has been a complete game changer. So he’s been absolutely awesome to work with.”
Martinez, who started lifting just one year ago, said her teammates play a big role in her success as well.
“Everybody here is super supportive of each other,” Martinez said. “They’re very encouraging. Honestly, if I didn’t have them, I probably wouldn’t have as much confidence that I do have.”
Spc. Johnlee Guzman, an infantryman, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, was another standout competitor. Despite having returned from the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, at 4 a.m., he still managed to win two gold medals.
“I feel great now because of the awards, but just because I didn’t think I was gonna be able to compete here today,” Guzman said. “So the fact I got a chance to come here and be able to show out, that’s all I care about really.”
Guzman also emphasized one of the many aspects that he loves about the sport is the camaraderie he shares with his teammates.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I want to say it’s like my second family. Every day we train. It’s always a great vibe and great energy. I love it.”
Eight other Phantom Warriors took home medals from the competition.
Graham had nothing but positive things to say about his team after watching them win the championship.
“We won the national championship,” Graham said. “This is our 23rd military national championship. So I’m very proud of them. What I’m really impressed with, I have a very young team and they’re very, very respectful, very disciplined and they train their butts off.”
Graham, a former eight-time world champion powerlifter himself, has been involved with the sport for over 20 years and continues to dedicate his time and energy to his team even in retirement.
“I love Soldiers,” the coach said. “That’s the bottom line. I love Soldiers. I was in the sport myself when I was in the military. I love the fact that I can help other Soldiers do the same thing that I did.”
