Bobby Body Highlights A Strong Showing From U.S. Powerlifters In Santiago

The powerlifting competition wrapped up on Tuesday at the 2023 Parapan American Games, and the six Team USA athletes provided plenty of highlights in Santiago, Chile.

Much like the world championships back in August, Bobby Body delivered the top performance for the U.S. team. Back in Dubai, UAE, Body won two silver medals in the legends division — for athletes 45 and older — in the men’s 107 kg. class.

However, the 49-year-old was unable to clear his second and third attempts in Dubai, and before returning home he made his intentions clear for the Parapan Ams.

“I didn’t finish how I wanted. I didn’t get the numbers I wanted, but I still got two silver medals,” Body wrote on his Instagram. “Look out, Parapan American Games this November, because Team USA is coming! We are coming for straight business!”

Body certainly meant business when he competed on Sunday. In powerlifting, each athlete has three attempts to lift the highest weight possible. The Eaton Rapids, Michigan, native’s first attempt was 216 kg., heavier than his two unsuccessful attempts in Dubai. Body cleared it, then successfully lifted 223 kg as well.

Then, with his wife in the stands and his U.S. teammates cheering him on from the side of the platform, Body went for a Parapan American Games record of 228 kg.

Of the 10 competitors in the men’s up to and over 107 kg. class, Body was one of only two to complete three successful lifts, and only one competitor lifted more than Body’s opening weight of 216 kg. Once Body received his gold medal atop the podium, he couldn’t hold back his emptions.

Body was back on the bench on Tuesday, as he competed with Ashley Dyce and Jake Herbert in the mixed team event. Each athlete had one attempt to successfully lift their selected weight in the first round of heats. Body cleared 205 kg. and Dyce cleared 100 kg. but Herbert’s couldn’t successfully lift 143 kg. and the Americans finished fifth int heir heat.

Body was the only American to bring home a medal from the Parapan Ams, but he wasn’t the only lifter who put on an impressive performance.

On the opening day of the competition, Jake Herbert matched a personal-best lift of 146 kg. and then set a new one with a successful lift of 150 kg. However, Niel Garcia Trelles of Peru cleared 151 kg., which secured him the final spot on the podium in the men’s 59 kg. class and left Herbert, 31, in fourth place. The Indianapolis native had a chance to get on the podium with his third attempt, but he couldn’t successfully lift 152 kg.

Herbert was disappointed by the result, but he felt good with his performance.

“Tired, a little upset with myself, but that’s normal,” Herbert said. “I don’t like missing a lift like that can put me potentially in a medal situation … but I feel good and that’s all that matters.”

Finishing right behind Herbert was David Horvath, who competed in his first international competition. Like Herbert, the 23-year-old Horvath set a new personal best when he successfully lifted 135 kg. on his second attempt.

“I feel great, I gave everything I had on that third attempt and that’s all I can ask for,” Horvath said. “It almost doesn’t feel real; it’s still sinking in.”

Monday saw the return of two Team USA regulars, as Ashley Dyce and Ahmed Shafik each returned from long-term injuries to compete for the first time in 2023.

Dyce showed some expected nerves on her first attempt, as she couldn’t clear 93 kg. However, the Colton, California, native settled herself and came back with successful lifts of 95 and 103 kg. to finish in sixth place in the women’s up to and over 86 kg. class.

The 36-year-old has been sharing daily videos on her Instagram from the Chilean capital, including her competition day where she wound down from her lifts with an episode of “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Shafik didn’t show any nerves on his first attempt in the men’s 88 kg. class, as he cleared 182 kg. However, the two-time Paralympian, who just turned 50 this month, couldn’t clear his next two lifts and finished in fifth place.

Throughout the competition, the U.S. powerlifters watched each other compete and provided support for their teammates from the side of the platform. Shafik used his 17 years of experience with Team USA to guide his teammates through the competition, and that showed for Garrison Redd.

The New York native couldn’t clear 130 kg. on his first attempt in the men’s 65 kg. class. Shafik reminded Redd to breathe, while the rest of Redd’s teammates cheered him on. The 35-year-old cleared 130 kg. on his second attempt, tying his personal best.

“My first Parapan games is in the book,” Redd wrote. “I will be back and of course better than ever. Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way.”

Luke Hanlon is a sportswriter and editor based in Minneapolis. He is a freelance contributor to usparatf.org courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.