USA WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPION DERRICK JOHNSON JOINS REHBAND AS AMBASSADOR

Rehband is proud to announce that USA Weightlifting Champion and coach, Derrick Johnson has joined their team as an Ambassador for Olympic Weightlifting.

“Derrick is a champion who has overcome incredible challenges on his journey to greatness. His positive mental attitude and incredible physical accomplishments make him an excellent ambassador for Rehband as we continue to support the growth of weightlifting globally.” – Andrew Peck, Rehband North America.

“I have always worn Rehband sleeves since the early days, and I respect all that Rehband has done to drive awareness of our sport. They really care about promoting the positive impact that this sport can have for people of all ages and abilities. I am excited to work more closely with their team to accomplish our shared goals!” – Derrick Johnson.

Derrick Johnson has been a weightlifter since he was 10 years old. His career as a competitor and coach have been both impressive and inspiring, with multiple National titles, records, and international appearances. He is also an accomplished academic, having earned a Bachelor of Science from Lindenwood University.

Derrick was born in 1986 in St. Louis, MO, and has two younger twin brothers. His childhood was far from privileged, and he faced the daily challenges of growing up in a neighbourhood where gang activity was prevalent. At age 13, Derrick began his journey into Olympic weightlifting at Lift for Life’s after school program for underprivileged youth. Within a short 6 years, Derrick would go on to win multiple national championships, 6 American Open titles, and represent the US on international teams.

At age 19, he began coaching Olympic Lifting and by age 23 was named Head Coach at Lift for Life gym. Only one year later, he founded the Olympic Weightlifting Team at Lindenwood University and served as head coach. He also began training fighters, some of which have gone on to compete in UFC, StrikeForce and appear on the TV reality show The Ultimate Fighter.

In 2010, Derrick was awarded the 2010 Developmental Coach of the Year for USA by the US Olympic Committee. By 2012, his coaching career seemed to be paying off as his athletes produced multiple gold medals in the Senior National Championships of the same year.

Derrick became a member of the Rehband Ambassador Team in Autumn 2015 and he is working towards competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

In this partnership, Johnson and Rehband will work together to continue improving the products available to lifters, to increase the reach of weightlifting in the USA, and to reinforce the positive role that qualified coaches can have in developing young athletes.

With 60 years of experience in designing and manufacturing anatomically and technically superior products, Rehband is the name most trusted by Olympic Weightlifters the world over. Rehband is the original designer and manufacturer of the knee and elbow sleeves worn by weightlifters, crossfitters, and Powerlifters across the globe. Their patented anatomical design and superior quality standards make Rehband the preferred choice of top lifters.