Wes Kitts

About Wes Kitts

Wes is a 2 time Olympian and has been a Team USA Olympic Weightlifter for over 8 years. The two Olympic births would come in 2020 in Tokyo and 2024 in Paris. During his career he has set numerous American records in 3 weight categories and has Pan American records in 2 weight categories. He received his formally training in Weightlifting at California Strength after a Division 1 collegiate football career as a running back and a lifetime of team sports. Wes has always had a passion for training and coaching others. He has been working with teams and individuals to achieve their performance and fitness goals since 2013. He has also assisted at California Strength in developing a number of NFL athletes and prospects as he lead the team and became the first member of the organization to achieve an Olympic spot as a weightlifter.

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Wes Kitts: From Football to CrossFit to Olympic Weightlifting and the Grid League

Few athletes successfully transition between multiple sports at an elite level. Wes Kitts has not only made these transitions but excelled, moving from college football to CrossFit, then to both Olympic weightlifting and the Grid League. Today, he stands as a two-time Olympian and gym owner who continues to influence the strength sports community.

Grid League Career

As a first-round draft pick for the New York Rhinos, Kitts quickly established himself as a cornerstone athlete in the National Professional Grid League (NPGL). His exceptional barbell capabilities made him an invaluable asset for the team’s strength-focused elements. The league recognized his potential by naming him “Player to Watch” in 2016, acknowledging his unique combination of power and athleticism.

Olympic Weightlifting

Kitts has become one of America’s most accomplished weightlifters. His Olympic journey includes eighth-place finishes at both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (109kg category) and 2024 Paris Olympics (102kg category). He holds five senior American records, spanning two weight classes, setting marks of 177kg in the snatch and 388kg total at 102kg, plus 177kg snatch, 223kg clean & jerk, and 399kg total at 109kg.

His international success extends beyond the Olympics. Kitts claimed gold at the Pan American Championships in 2018 and 2019, won the 2019 Pan American Games, and earned silver at the 2017 Pan Americans. He’s competed in five World Championships, with his best finish being fifth place in the 109kg Clean & Jerk in 2018.

CrossFit

After college, Kitts found his way into CrossFit at age 22. He completed an internship at CrossFit North Knoxville, the same gym he would later own. While his time in CrossFit was relatively brief, it served as a crucial bridge between his football career and Olympic weightlifting.

Football

At Austin Peay State University from 2008-2012, Kitts played running back. Over 26 games, he accumulated 1,180 rushing yards and 83 receiving yards, scoring five touchdowns. This foundation in collegiate athletics helped build the explosive power he would later channel into weightlifting.

Early Life and Personal Background

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 22, 1990, Kitts grew up with a strong athletic influence from his father. He often credits old photos of his dad training in the gym as early inspiration. Though his father passed away before seeing him compete in weightlifting, Kitts has channeled that loss into motivation, now drawing additional inspiration from his own son.

Employment and Career Outside of Sports

Today, Kitts owns and operates “Be Somebody Gym” in Knoxville, Tennessee. He purchased what was formerly CrossFit North Knoxville, the same facility where he first learned Olympic lifting techniques. After acquiring the gym, he renovated it with new equipment and fresh paint, creating a space that reflects his vision for strength training.

As owner and head coach of BE SOMEBODY Performance, Kitts shares his extensive experience in Olympic weightlifting and strength training. Before opening his gym, he trained at California Strength under coach David Spitz while preparing for the Olympics.

Through his gym ownership and coaching, Kitts continues to impact the strength sports community. His journey from college football player to Olympic weightlifter to business owner shows how athletic passion can evolve into a lasting career. As he trains the next generation of athletes, Kitts honors both his father’s memory and his own competitive legacy while building something new in his hometown of Knoxville.