Jonathan Stoklosa Explained

Years Active:c. 1994–present
Height:5 ft 5 in
Weight:204 lb
Sport:Powerlifting

Jonathan Stoklosa (born [1]) is an American powerlifter. Born with Down syndrome, he is a Special Olympics champion.

Early life

Stoklosa was born with Down syndrome.[2] He only started talking at age 11.[2] He began weightlifting at age 12, after becoming interested due to his two brothers being athletes, and by age 13, he was able to lift 185lb.[3] [4] He attended Newark High School in Newark, Delaware, where he won a varsity letter as a member of the wrestling team.[1]

Career

Five years into his career, Stoklosa competed at the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games and was the champion in the bench press, even though he was both the lightest and youngest participant in his class.[2] [5] He also won the bronze medal in the deadlift and was fourth in the squat event.[2]

Since then Stoklosa has competed at many events, especially at the Delaware Special Olympics, where he has won over 100 medals and been described by The News Journal as a "cornerstone" of the powerlifting team.[1] He was named the "Delaware Special Olympics Outstanding Athlete" in 2006 and was inducted into the Delaware Special Olympics Hall of Fame in 2018.[2] [3] Stoklosa has also competed at several USA Games, including winning four gold medals at the 2010 event and three gold medals at the 2014 event.[2] His career bests are lifts of 425lb in the bench press, 425lb in the deadlift, and 385lb in the squat.[2] He also participates in bowling, swimming, basketball, golf, and boxing.[3] [6]

Stoklosa is a speaker and advocate for those with disabilities and has been featured in a number of publications, including Sports Illustrated for Kids, Powerlifting USA, and National Public Radio's Only a Game.[2] He has met with then-United States Vice President Joe Biden and is acquaintances with Arnold Schwarzenegger, having been named the "Lifter of the Day" at an Arnold Sports Festival competition.[3] [7] [8]

Stoklosa was selected to be inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2024.[5]

Personal life

Outside of sports, Stoklosa works at a local Acme Market.[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Weights give Newark man a lift. The News Journal. Newspapers.com. July 6, 2004. 16. Smith, Brian. March 20, 2024. May 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240523024916/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143715895/. live.
  2. Web site: 2024 HOF Inductees. Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. March 11, 2024. March 18, 2024. March 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240312011142/https://desports.org/new-inductees/. live.
  3. News: A Bond Endures. The News Journal. Newspapers.com. July 4, 2020. A1, A5. Tresolini, Kevin. March 20, 2024. May 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240523024923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/143720742/. live.
  4. News: Jonathan Stoklosa, Delaware Man With Down Syndrome, Is A Powerlifting Champ. HuffPost. September 24, 2013. March 20, 2024. March 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240320014131/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jonathan-stoklosa-down-syndrome-weight-lifting_n_3977280. live.
  5. News: Power lifter, Phillie Phanatic, sportswriter among Delaware Sports Hall of Fame 2024 class. The News Journal. Holveck, Brandon. March 13, 2024. March 20, 2024. March 13, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240313231347/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/2024/03/13/delaware-sports-hall-of-fame-adds-9-member-class-of-2024/72941987007/. live.
  6. News: Downes students take pledge to 'Spread the Word to End the Word'. Newark Post. Newspapers.com. March 24, 2017. 9. Simmons, Karie. March 20, 2024. May 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240523024923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-post/143722952/. live.
  7. 30 Seconds with Special Olympics Delaware Hall of Famer Jon Stoklosa. Delaware Today. June 13, 2019. Ostroski, Drew. March 20, 2024. March 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240320014934/https://delawaretoday.com/life-style/30-seconds-with-special-olympics-delaware-hall-of-famer-jon-stoklosa/. live.
  8. News: Biden on Stoklosa: A genuine inspiration. The News Journal. March 10, 2014. Gentry, Jeffrey. March 20, 2024. March 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240320014934/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/onlyindelaware/2014/03/10/biden-stoklosa-down-syndrome/6259539/. live.
  9. Web site: Meet a superhero with a soft touch. CBS News. September 9, 2013. Hartman, Steve. March 20, 2024. March 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240320014131/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-a-superhero-with-a-soft-touch/. live.

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