By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
A Savannah man and Special Olympics powerlifter is getting set to compete on the biggest stage this week.
Twenty-six year-old Charlie Phillips arrived in Berlin, Germany last week as he gets set to take part in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games on Friday in several powerlifting competitions.
During an interview with Tim Tebow on ESPN's Get Up Monday, Phillips said the opening ceremony this past Saturday was unforgettable.
"I kind of had tears running down my face," Phillips said excitedly. "It felt like a live moment. It felt amazing, seeing everyone out there with their phones out and taking pictures. I took a video of myself on my phone and I was waving. It was amazing!"
Phillips started competing for Special Olympics more than 15 years ago. He earned his spot in this year's World Games this past November at the Team USA trials in San Antonio, Texas. He squatted over 400 pounds, and deadlifted over 500 to qualify.
On June 9, Savannah leaders organized a parade to honor Phillips, who rode in that parade on the front of a fire truck.
Phillips says he got to meet a special guest that day, who was waiting with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
"It was pretty cool to meet Andy Reid," he said, "and touch the trophy that's pretty cool. I told him I'm an Eagles fan."
Now that he's in Germany, Phillips says he now has one goal in mind.
"I'm trying to go for gold in every lift and trying to get a PR for a gold medal."
Phillips will compete this Friday in men’s squat, men’s deadlift, men’s bench press and men’s combined squat between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time. Special Olympics coverage is being streamed on ESPN+.
Phillips has been lifting since he was 10. A multi-sport athlete, he's competed in the 2018 Special Olympics USA games as a powerlifter as well.
Now getting to achieve his goal of making the World Games, Phillips says the key to getting there was simply never giving up.
"Having fun, work hard and be yourself," he said. "It doesn't matter who's stopping you. Don't listen to them. Listen to your body. Listen to yourself and you'll do the best that you can."
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