Kara Bohigian-Smith
birthdate:
location:
when did you start lifting:
contest history:
federations:
best competition lifts:
April 12, 1975
Dayton, Ohio
I started lifting weights when I was 15. I did my first powerlifting meet
in November of 2000 after competing in Olympic lifting since 1996.
2001 - 148 USAPL National Champion and IPF World Team member.
2002 - 148 USAPL National Champion and IPF World Team member.
2003 - 165 APF Senior National Champion - 551 sqat, 363 bench, 501 deadlift, 1412 total.
2003 - 148 WPO Show of Strength - 553 squat (atwr), 374 bench (atwr), 485 deadlift, 1412 total (atwr).
2004 - 148 WPO Arnold Classic - 524 squat, 363 bench, 490 deadlift, 1377 total.
2004 - 148 WPO Show of Strength - 534 squat, 385 bench (atwr), 501 deadlift, 1422 total (atwr).
2005 - 148 Arnold Classic Bench Bash - 363 - my first ever bomb.
2005 - Bench America - Overall Champion - 336 @ 139.
2005 - 148 WPO Bench Bash for Cash - 324
2006 - 165 Mendelson Bench Classic winner - 431 @ 155 (atwr).
2006 - 148 WPO Arnold Classic Bench Bash - 402 (atwr).
2006 - 165 Alabama State Meet - 451 Bench @ 154 (atwr).
Olympic Lifting - USAW. Powerlifting - APF/WPC, WPO, IPF, USAPL, USPF, WABDL
565 squat , 451 bench, 501 deadlift, 1422 total
family background:
I am married to professional Highland Games athlete Craig Smith. He competes
mainly in the pro throwing arena but has also done Strongman.  He's sick strong
in the gym, routinely front squatting over 500 and Zercher squatting over 600
and says that maybe one day he'll let me put him in some gear and do a
Powerlifting meet in his off season. He has all kinds of crazy lifting and throwing
videos on his website KiltedThrower.com I have one awesome older sister,
Melanie. She doesn't lift but would probably be really good if she wanted to. My
dad is insanely muscular, strong and vascular. He was an incredible football
player, track and field athlete and coach. My mom has the highest energy level
in the world which is where my ability to do freakishly high volume comes
from...along with ETS from AtLarge Nutrition ;) My mom, dad and sister are all
so supportive of my lifting and think it's really cool. I have a miniature
dachshund named Stella who is the strongest, most muscular weiner dog ever.
weight class:
132 - 165
records/accomplishments:
ATWR Bench
413 @ 148
biggest inspirations:
Julie Scanlon topped my inspiration list before I even started powerlifting. She
is magnificent in all three lifts raw, equipped and in multiple federations. Her
physique and muscularity is fricken gorgeous.

I'm very inspired by Amy Weisberger's longevity. I have magazines with her
contest results from the 80's and she's still on top and making progress today.

Becca Swanson's ability to go meet after meet, hitting world records and PR's
while rarely missing an attempt is even more impressive to me than the
unprecedented numbers she's hit. She is arguably the most consistent and
accurate lifter of all time...male or female!

I admire everyone on the Women of Power list. If you read through it, it's easy
to see why. I don't care if it sounds like I'm kissing ass, these women are
amazing. Shawna Mendelson owns her own hugely successful gym, Jules
Furniss served our country in Iraq, Kathy Goliszek overcame ovarian cancer,
10 year old Little Evil lifted in front of thousands of people with more poise
than grown men, Laura Phelps has been lifting 5 minutes and already
shattered all-time records, Julia Ladewski is a very respected collegiate
strength and conditioning coach, and ofcourse the creator of the list, Sandi
McCaslin, balances family, work and super elite lifting after major neck
surgery, with being a meet director, cinematographer, internet lifting coach
and webmaster of one of the best, most comprehensive powerlifting sites on the
net.
ATWR Bench
451 @ 165
1422 Total
ranked #6
for men
in 2004
summary:
I've done many sports in my life...olympic lifting, gymnastics, track and field, swimming, diving,
cheerleading...but I never enjoyed any of them like I do powerlifting. I like getting strong in the
three lifts and the muscle it puts on my body. I even enjoy the element of skill involved with
mastering technique in the equipment. I like moving heavy weights around...always have. I like
the people I meet in powerlifting. Despite our wildly varying walks of life, we all have a common
bond. Someone you may never otherwise talk to can become one of your closest friends because
of a barbell. I like that.
I wish anyone cool enough to stumble across this website much good luck in their lifting. Lift
safe, smart, strategic and enjoy every minute of it!
Kara gives special thanks to:

Inzer Advance Designs equipment
House of Pain Ironwear clothing
Vital Choice wild Alaskan sockey salmon, albacore tuna and salmon supplements
The Anabolic Fitness Store's Sesapure, Thermorexin, Glucorell R and Purecee
AtLarge Nutrition's ETS