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Pataskala-native powerlifter Garrett Ford has quickly risen to local stardom over the last year, and his notoriety now reaches beyond what he, or his family, ever could have imagined.

A suggestion to try out lifting weights from his mother, Leah Yost, five years ago set Garrett on a surprising and inspirational path. As he trained, dominating competitions like the Ohio Special Olympics Summer Games and the U.S.A. Games, Ford developed an unwavering determination to one day win a gold medal and become famous. Neither Garrett, nor his family, could fathom that both were right around the corner. 

Following his March win at the Special Olympic World Games in Abu Dhabi, where he won gold medals in bench press, dead lift, squat, and overall competing, Ford was officially recognized by the United States House of Representatives. On May 28, current U.S. Representative of the 12th district of Ohio and former Ohio Senator, Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, presented him with a Congressional Record at the newly renovated E.S. Weiant Center, hosted by the Licking County Special Olympics.

The Record itself signifies Balderson's acknowledgement of Ford's accomplishments in the United States Congressional Journal, written and spoken before Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Balderson assured Ford, with the Record held between them, that "What you've done is a really, really big deal. Licking County has a World Champion." 

Ford declared his summer goals include competing well in upcoming competitions, getting big and strong, and "staying famous," prompting hearty chuckles from his friends and family. Ford's next event is the South-Central Region Ohio State-Qualifier, which is this coming Saturday, June 1. The qualifier at Dublin-Coffman High School begins at 9:00a.m. and will determine competitors in the Ohio State Special Olympics Summer Games 2019.

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