Hooper is a former equipped powerlifter representing the United States of America. Wade competed internationally from 1992 to 2011. He last competed in the 83 kilogram weight class, and is a 5-time gold medalist, 6-time silver medalist and 2-time bronze medalist. In 2015, Wade would be inducted into the IPF Hall of Fame as a male powerlifter, being the only inductee of the year.

In 1997, Wade would break his first world record in the IPF, squatting 303 kilograms in the 67.5 kilogram weight class. He extended the record to 305 kilograms the following year. Moving up to the 75 kilogram weight class, Wade squatted 347.5 kilograms and bench pressed 232.5 kilograms for an open world record.

In his first masters 1 competition and in the recent 83 kilogram weight class, Wade squatted 355 kilograms and totaled 877.5 kilograms for a masters 1 world record, and bench pressed 257.5 kilograms for an open world record, alongside a full power and bench press only masters 1 world record.