Bobby Body’s 50th birthday could’ve gone better.

The American powerlifter was in Tbilisi, Georgia, in June for the final world cup event of the season but was unable to compete due to a severe illness.

“It was so bad they wanted to take me to the hospital,” Body said.

His temperature spiked above 104 degrees to go along with a headache, body aches and a lost sense of taste. Though he was never tested for COVID-19, Body returned home having lost 15 pounds to the mystery illness.

He has since recovered and is back in the gym, which is good news because Body recently learned that he has received an automatic qualification to Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

“It was so overwhelming, I had no words,” Body said of making the team. “I really didn’t know what to say. That’s not something that happens to everybody, and that’s not information you get every day, or every year or every even four years. Some people, they work their whole life and don’t make it, and some people work their whole life to make one Games.”

Having been powerlifting for more than a decade now, Body will make his Paralympic debut in Paris. That’s not a problem though, as Body said he feels like he’s the strongest he’s ever been.

“I’m actually in better shape and I feel better now than when I was 25 years old,” he said.

Body — who had his left leg amputated above the knee in 2013 years after an IED struck a Humvee he was in while he was serving with the Army in Iraq — will shoot for a medal in Paris. Currently, he’s ranked No. 3 in the world in the men’s 107 kg. class.

The Harrisville, Michigan, resident broke the world record in the legends division — for ages 45 and over — with a lift of 231 kg. in May at a world cup event in Acapulco, Mexico. He now has his sights set on the Americas elite mark of 236 kg. and has lifted as much as 240 kg. in training. Aliakbar Gharibshahi of Iran, currently ranked No. 1 in Body’s class, holds the elite world record of 254 kg.

Despite his recent illness, Body proclaimed his confidence level as “very high” heading into Paris.

“I don’t shy away from any competition,” he said.

While Gharibshahi might be tough to dislodge from the top of the podium, Body said he believes a silver medal might be within his reach.

When he’s not competing, Body plans to take in other Paralympic events. He’s a track and field fan and also has friends on the U.S. swimming team.

“When it comes to the Olympics and Paralympics, I watch as much as I possibly can on TV,” he said. “To me, it hits home because I was in the military and grew up in the military. I’m hoping to be able to watch in person as much as I can.”

Fortunately, Body won’t be without a support system in Paris. Fellow U.S. powerlifter Ashley Dyce earned a discretionary spot for the Paralympics, so the two will be able to cheer each other on during competitions.

Body’s wife, Erin, will also be going with him. Though she’s not allowed in the Paralympic Village, Erin will attend the competition and have access to the Team USA House.

He’ll also be glad to see his sister and brother-in-law, who work at the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands and will watch him compete.

It might have taken Body a while to reach his first Paralympics, but it should prove worth the wait.

“I’m just looking forward to getting out there,” he said. “I’m super excited.”

Bob Reinert spent 17 years covering sports for The Boston Globe. He also served as a sports information director at Saint Anselm College and Phillips Exeter Academy. He is a contributor to usparapowerlifting.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Bobby Body Is Wishing For A Medal In Paris As A Belated 50th Birthday Gift

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