By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
26-year-old Charlie Phillips of Savannah is heading to Berlin, Germany in June to represent the United States in the Special Olympics World Games.
Phillips says he is very excited for the opportunity to not only represent Missouri, but represent his country.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that I dreamed ever since I started Special Olympics 15 years ago, and I can't believe I'm going to be representing our country in 11 weeks in powerlifting in a different country," Phillips tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "That is mind blowing."
Phillips earned his spot in the games in November at the Team USA trials in San Antonio, Texas, posting the top deadlift and top squat.
Phillips says that he was nervous going into the trials, after competing earlier that week in Kansas City, and didn't even know that he had the top lifts.
"I was surprised when they announced that I got nominated, and then went down there, lift, and then came back up here and then went on the news station," Phillips says. "They told me that I got picked and I was so happy that time."
Phillips says he's never been out of the country before, so he's excited to experience the new cultures and new foods.
His goal going into the competition is to get some new numbers and to make the podium.
"Get some world records or whatever is happening I just want to be on the podium, get some world records, and pull some new numbers," Phillips happily says. "So, I can tell everyone hey look I pulled new numbers and I can show everyone how much I did over there, I just can't wait."
Phillips has also been blown away by the community support he's received. Team Charlie T Shirts, yard signs, and window decals have been sold by B's Tees to help raise funds for Phillips and his family to make it to Berlin. You can order a shirt, sign, or window decal HERE.
The Savannah Fire Department is also holding a Chili cookoff this weekend on Sunday from 12 to 2pm with a free will donation in which all proceeds will go towards helping Phillips get to Berlin. Entry into the cookoff is $25.
The Special Olympics World Games are being held June 17th through June 25th.
