Savannah athlete in Germany to compete on world stage
Jun. 19—A Savannah, Missouri, resident will show off his powerlifting skills Friday at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
Charlie Phillips will compete from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. central time on June 23. His events will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.
Phillips, 26, will compete in the men's squat, men's deadlift, men's bench press and men's combined squat, deadlift and bench press. During the Special Olympics USA Team Trials in San Antonio, Texas, he had the top squat — 182.5 kilograms — and the top deadlift — 227.5 kilograms. He also benched 130 kilograms.
Phillips, who is the only Missouri resident among the U.S. delegation, and other Americans competing in the games arrived in Germany last week and were part of the opening ceremony this past Saturday at Olympic Stadium. He also was interviewed by Tim Tebow for ESPN's "Get Up" segment on Monday.
Phillips began his Special Olympics career in central Pennsylvania and continued competing when his family moved to Missouri. During his career, he has participated in five different sports: basketball, track, soccer, flag football and powerlifting.
Speaking to News-Press NOW when he learned he would be headed to the World Games, Phillips said he was excited to be heading to Germany.
"I'm very excited. I still have tears of joy," Phillips said last September. "I just can't stop thinking about it."
Phillips is one of 133 athletes and Unified partners competing in Germany as part of the U.S. team. This year Americans are competing in 14 of the 26 sports offered, including basketball, bowling, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
The Special Olympics World Games is held every two years, alternating between summer and winter games.
