Richard E. Bachtell, a native of Chewsville, formerly of Hagerstown, was the first athlete to be named to the American Weightlifters Hall of Fame.

In summing up his results from 20 years of sectional, state, national, international and world competition, no other weightlifter born in North America even approaches his achievements. He competed, with a few exceptions, in the 132-pound weight class. On some occasions, he contested the next-highest bodyweight class.

Bachtell won 12 Middle Atlantic AAU championships (10 straight from 1932-41, 1943 and 1945).

He won five South Atlantic AAU championships (all from 1927-31).

He won 10 national AAU championships (1926, five straight from 1928-32, 1934, 1935, 1937 and 1943).

In the North American championships, held in Toronto, Canada, he won the title five times (each year from 1934-38) and was second in 1939. In the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1932, he placed fifth. In the world championships in Paris, France, in 1937, he placed seventh.

He held all American records in his class at one time or another, and a world record which stood for many years.

Bachtell has been awarded 112 medals in all — including 42 golds for wins and records in national and international competitions, 48 golds in other competitions, and five silvers in Canada.

Richard Bachtell was one of three national weightlifting champions during the first half of the 20th century from Hagerstown.