An Oxford resident is making a name for himself in a world that demands strength, precision and discipline—competitive weightlifting.

Clayton Polk, 40, has been steadily climbing the ranks in the sport, setting records, winning championships, and working toward international competition.

Born and raised in Memphis, Polk moved to Oxford in 2014 to work for Stout’s Carpet & Flooring.

Over the past decade, he has become an integral part of the business, serving as the installation manager.

While his professional life is fast-paced and demanding, his true passion lies in the weightlifting arena.

Polk’s journey into the sport began in 2018 when he started CrossFit. While exploring the different aspects of the training regimen, he became fascinated with weightlifting and its technical challenges.

“In my first year, I noticed a woman who may have weighed 115 pounds snatching more than I could at 180 pounds,” he recalled. “That showed me it was going to take time and a lot of practice to improve.”

Determined to master the craft, he dedicated himself to developing his technique and mobility, key components in the sport. His hard work paid off. Since his first meet in Nashville in 2021, Polk has competed at both state and national levels, winning two Mississippi state championships and even taking home a national title in 2023.

He currently holds state records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight lifted in his weight class. His personal bests include a 103kg (226.2 lbs) snatch and a 132kg (290.4 lbs) clean and jerk and total 229kg.

Polk’s recent achievements have propelled him onto an international stage. He competed at the 2023 Pan American Championships and the 2024 American Open, and now he has his sights set on two major world championships this year. With one set for September in Las Vegas and another in December in Daytona Beach, Polk hopes to represent Team USA on both occasions.

Despite his growing success, Polk acknowledges that reaching this level of competition comes with financial burdens. While local events cost less than $100 to enter, national and international competitions range from $200 to $400, not including travel expenses.

Several local businesses and industry connections have stepped up with monetary donations, but additional support is always welcome, he said.

He is currently preparing for his next big competition on March 29 in Boise and a future wedding to his fiance, Ashley, the “sweetest prettiest woman on the planet.”

Polk is active on social media, keeping followers updated on his progress and upcoming competitions. Follow him on Instagram @polk.clayton and Facebook at Clayton Wayne Polk.

“I’ll be posting on social media about how the year is going for qualifiers and meets so if anything, please know there is someone in Oxford trying to make it to the big stage this year,” Polk said.

Donations can be made through Venmo (@clayton-polk), and he welcomes anyone to stop by Stout’s at 1309 Cooperative Way for a chat.