Kloie Doublin
Kloie Doublin has spent an extra few months in Nebraska trying to earn herself a trip to Alabama next summer. All that’s left to do is deliver a typical Doublin performance in Scandinavia next week.
On Nov. 11, the Franklin native will be competing at the IPF World Open Powerlifting Championships, which take place next week in Stavanger, Norway.
Doublin is no stranger to IPF Worlds, having won several gold medals in the raw division — but this year, she’ll be competing in the equipped division for the first time. The lifts are the same — squat, bench press and deadlift — but the athletes compete while wearing very specialized (and very tight-fitting) outfits designed to harness their power and allow them to lift more weight.
How much more? Doublin’s career-best raw lifts were 407.8 pounds in the squat, 265.5 pounds on the bench and 474 in the deadlift. She’s competed in just two equipped meets so far, with bests of 485 pounds in the squat, 330.7 on the bench and 496 in the deadlift.
After graduating from collegiate powerlifting juggernaut Midland University — located in Fremont, Nebraska, about 45 minutes northwest of Omaha — in just three years, Doublin stayed behind this fall to train with some former teammates who have more equipped lifting experience.
“Tim Anderson, he’s a world champion in equipped bench, so he definitely knows what he’s doing with all of that stuff, and he has a lot of experience handling people too,” Doublin said. “That’s kind of why I stayed out here — so he could help me with the shirt and help with that learning curve a little bit, because it’s easy to get ahead of yourself if you don’t have the right guidance.”
Doublin has also been working as a clinical research coordinator while in Nebraska. She’s currently applying to and interviewing with medical schools — Indiana University is at the top of her list — with plans to start next fall.
First, though, she’s trying to land a top-three finish in Norway in order to qualify for the 2022 World Games, which will be held next July in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite being new to the equipped division, Doublin is currently ranked fifth worldwide in her weight class.
“Obviously, I’d take the win if that’s what is on the table at the time,” she said, “but my primary and number one focus is making World Games, and I have to podium for that. So secure third, and we’ll go for second or first depending on what our striking range is from there.”
Competing in the World Games has been on Doublin’s powerlifting bucket list for years, so a few extra months back in Fremont with her new dog (named Arnold, because of course it is) were worth what she’s had to miss to make the dream a reality.
“I’ve sacrificed a lot to be able to prepare myself as best I can for this meet, so I have a lot on the line,” Doublin said. “I got a job out here for that, I’m away from my family for that; even (former Midland lifter Shane Nutt), my boyfriend, is in Indiana building his (training) business right now while we cross our fingers and hope I get into med school this year.”
Doublin is looking forward to being back in her home state sometime soon; that homecoming would be that much sweeter if next week’s trip overseas goes according to plan.
