For the fifth consecutive year, John Brown of Ordinary, has vanquished the field at the Fort Bragg, N.C., Bench Press Weightlifting Competition.

On March 12, Brown, 51, lifted a personal best 300 pounds and walked off with the trophy for his age group (35 and older) and weight (181-198 pounds). In 2010, he pressed 280 pounds for his win and set 300 as the goal he met this year.

The retired Army Airborne drill sergeant, now a policeman at the Defense Supply Center in Richmond, said his main competitor is himself, keeping fit and able to do more than he could a year earlier.

He has joked about retiring from competition, and says seriously that he knows he could look over his shoulder any year to find a new champion coming up fast behind him. However, the thrill of doing more is in his blood; "It’s something I enjoy doing," said Brown, who maintains a steady workout regimen and is careful about what he eats. "I’ll know when it’s time to quit and be...