Sep 8, 2002 By The 1 min read

Powerlifter Derek Baker Jr. of Nemacolin is taking his act international. Baker, 18, was selected to compete with TEAM USA at the International Powerlifter Federation Sub-Junior World Championships, to be held Sept. 25-29 in ChaiYi Paipei, China.

Among his many accomplishments, Baker is the 2002 USAPL state high school, teenage and drug-free champion and won a world title in 2001. He holds 16 state, national and world powerlifting records.

Baker competes in the 90 kilogram (198 pound) class and has been competing for two and a half years, under the guidance of his father, Derek Baker Sr. He trains at home and at the Hopwood Fitness Center. His best competitive lifts include 575-pound squat, 290-pound bench press, 601-pound dead lift and a 1,422-pound total lift.

Eleven powerlifters were selected for the team and all of them must pay for their trip to China. Baker is undertaking many fund-raising activities to help pay for his trip.