Derrick

Johnson

What year did you being lifting? 1996

Quick Facts

As a lifter to make the 2012 Olympics. As an Olympic weightlifting coach to produce Olympians and Champions to go along with building the largest team the United States has ever seen. Also another goal is to continuing to train professional athletes to the highest levels.  

Favorite Food: No particular food, but I enjoy my Phormula-1 and Level-1 protein shakes. 

Favorite Book: Lee Child's "Gone Tomorrow" 

Favorite TV Show: Spartacus 

Favorite song that gets you motivated:  Motivation by Kelly Rowland 

Hobbies/Interested outside of Weightlifting: Following national politics. 

Most people don’t know that…. I was the youngest head coach of an International competition for USA Weightlifting, or that I was the first African American to be named as a head coach on an International trip for USA Weightlifting. Most people don't know that I am the only coach from the United States to have three members on the 2011 Senior World that are from 3 different countries. Or that I have trained MMA fighters in Olympic lifting that have gone on to win fights in the UFC , StrikeForce, and other promotions. 

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2015 – 29th (62kg - Clean & Jerk - Men, 62kg - Men, 62kg - Snatch - Men)
• Years of participation: 62kg - Clean & Jerk - Men 2014, 2015; 62kg - Men 2014, 2015; 62kg - Snatch - Men 2014, 2015
• Top finish: 13th – 2014 (62kg - Men), 2014 (62kg - Snatch - Men)

Career Highlights

• Junior World Championships, Busan, 2005 (62kg - Snatch - Men, 62kg - Clean & Jerk - Men, 62kg - Men)
• Junior World Championships, Minsk, 2004 (62kg - Men, 62kg - Snatch - Men)