Special to The Daily News

Dr. H. Brad Williams, who is a 1979 Bogalusa High School graduate, a local chiropractor, part-time sheriff deputy with the Washington Parish Sherriff’s Office and Bogalusa school board member, recently participated in the Florida Senior Olympic Games.
Men and women, former Olympians, world and national record holders, as well as amateurs ages 50-86 years of age from all over the United States participated in the track and field events, powerlifting and team sports.
In the United States Powerlifting Association sanctioned powerlifting competition, Williams, who is 170 pounds, won the gold medal and a Florida state record, 55-59 year old age in the bench press event at 315 pounds.
Williams also participated in the track and field competition, winning a silver medal in the javelin with a throw of 118 feet.
He still holds the Bogalusa High School javelin record of 182-10 that he set in 1979.
Although Williams has lifted weights since ninth grade (some 46 years), he has not thrown a javelin in 40 years, since high school.
“I don’t see how I used to throw the javelin so far in high school,” Williams said. “I was always the smallest javelin thrower, even in my senior year, yet I won all but two meets and received several college scholarship offers. I’m now 25 pounds bigger and stronger and a lot of work to do to reach those distances of my younger years.”
Williams said the main message he would like to convey to everybody is that regardless of age or ability, to keep moving.
“Do some kind of physical activity that requires extra physical exertion. Preferably, an organized activity/sport whereby injuries are less likely to occur a few times a week at least 30 minutes in duration. Scientific studies prove that regular extra physical activity/exertion increases the level of endorphins/enkephalins in the bloodstream. These are opioid-like substances, natural painkillers, that improve our physical wellbeing as well as enhancing our mental acumen,” Williams said.