Retired Rancher Sets Records In Weight Lifting

Amadeus Kosarek is deceptively strong. Approaching 60 years of age, he weighs less than 150 pounds and is a cancer survivor. Last month he set a new record in open raw powerlifting in his weight and age category with a lift of 350 pounds in a national weightlifting championship at Rogers. The lift won him the title of national police champion and open raw masters champion. He explains that “raw” means drug-free and no heavy elasticized equipment allowed. He said wearing a simple single-ply suit and leather belt is a “true measure of strength.” Kosarek, also known as Joshua or A.J., is a retired cattle rancher and peace officer who now lives near Green Forest on the Boone Carroll County line. He trains at the Fitness Club and in a barn at his house. In 2007, he held titles in two weight classes: 375 pounds in 165-175 pound division and 325 pounds in the 148-pound classification. Kosarek said he lowered his weight with “real hard summer work at his ranch in Texas, not eating as much and baling hay all summer long.”...MorningNews