Weightlifting Hall of Fame

Mike Bridges, the diminutive Peoria East Bluff (White Grade School) native, and 1976 graduate of Woodruff High School, won his first World Title in Powerlifting at age 21, and his last World Title at 33.

Mike began his Powerlifting career at age 15- as he could see no future in the usual sports menu at 4-foot-lO and 125 pounds. Encouragement to excel came early from Jim Morby, a teacher at White Grade School, who convinced him that a positive attitude, hard work, and belief in yourself could make anything possible.

He participated in the Spalding weightlifting program where he represented Woodruff. He won his first competitive event at the Mid-State-9 Weightlifting Tournament.

His "just for fun with friends" powerlifting led finally to over 100 Worldwide wins, seven World Titles, and nine U.S. National Titles, setting 76 World records over a twelve-year period. Traveling with his U.S. teammates to over 10 countries, including Germany, Finland, Sweden and India, the U.S. team never lost a championship with Bridges aboard. He competed in the 148, 165, 181 and 198 pound divisions winning World Titles in all four weight classes. He finally topped out at 5-foot-3 and is pictured here at 181 pounds.

A Tri-County Top Sports Figure in 1978, he did color commentary for CBS and NBC for weight and power lifting, has traveled as a lifter coach, and has conducted numerous seminars in schools, gyms and training camps. In 1982, he was one of the finalists for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Amateur Athletic Award.