It takes physical strength to set a bench press record in powerlifting, but it takes strength beyond the physical to help a loved one overcome a cancer diagnosis and still be able to compete as an athlete or engage the outdoors as a sportsman.

It is that strength that Richard Hinson, a captain on the Natchez High powerlifting team, has had to discover and acquire to help him take care of his dad, and put Hinson in position to possibly break a second state bench press record.

Last season near this time, Hinson broke the state bench press record in 132-pound weight class by successfully bench-pressing 250 pounds, and in the process won the state title. That season Hinson started in the 148-pound weight class, but he said he was light enough in weight to drop down to a different class.

“I had two pounds to lose, so I did,” he said.

Heading into his final season, Hinson was optimistic and was preparing to compete in the 148-pound weight class, but just after the season started, Hinson’s focus changed and he had to help carry a weight that was much heavier than anything found in the Natchez High weight room.

On Feb. 1 Hinson’s father, Richard Hinson, was diagnosed with cancer and was given two days to live. At that point, Hinson had to miss six weeks of powerlifting and four weeks of school to help his mother, Celia, take care of his father, who surpassed the two-day window given to him by doctors.

Now he is doing better every day, Hinson said.

But at one point Hinson, a senior did not know if he would return for his third and final season of powerlifting.

“I didn’t practice for six weeks, and I lost a lot of strength,” he said. “I was doing more in January than I am now.”

But Hinson said his father and mother were very supportive of him, and he returned to powerlifting, the only sport he participates in at Natchez High.

“My dad wanted me to keep doing it,” he said. “My mom is also one of the ones who wanted me to keep doing it.”

Since his return, he finished third in the regional powerlifting meet in the 148-pound weight class, and finished second in South State.

“He is really special,” Natchez powerlifting coach Joseph Johnson said. “To do what he has done, and to go through what he has gone through, it really is a testament to him, and what he is capable of.”

During this difficult time, one thing that Hinson said helped get him through it all was deer season.

Hinson said that when he is not getting stronger in the weight room, he is outdoors hunting deer or turkey, or fishing.

This season, Hinson killed an 11-point buck, an eight point and a seven point.

“I was pretty lucky this year,” he said. “I didn’t hardly get to go because my dad was so sick, but I got lucky every time I went.”

He said this was the best season he has had since killing his first deer when he was 10 years old.

“It’s exciting, and I was brought up doing it,” he said. “I have been hooked on it since I killed my first deer.”

He said hunting has always been an activity that he and his dad have enjoyed together. Hinson said his dad has been taking him hunting since he was two years old, and said he has a lot of good memories.

“Dad killed two does this season before he got real sick. He usually does better,” he said.

When Hinson is not in the woods, he said he enjoys going fishing. He said he likes catching bass, catfish and any other type of fish that is in the area.

“I have been fishing as long as I have been hunting,” he said.

For right now Hinson said he has no immediate plans, but said his main focus is doing what he can to help his dad battle cancer, and finishing up school.