Alpena’s Bobby Body earns eighth gold from Parapan American Open
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- SkellaFit Personal Training's Bobby Body added another gold medal to an already remarkable international Para powerlifting career this week, taking first place at the 2026 Parapan American Open Championships in Mexico City and earning his eighth gold medal at the Parapan American Open Championships.
Body represented Team USA in the men's up-to-107-kilogram division, facing some of the strongest Para powerlifters in the Americas.
From his very first attempt, Body established himself as the lifter to beat.
He opened the competition with a 220-kilogram (485-pound) lift, immediately taking the lead. He maintained that position throughout the competition before finishing with a 230-kilogram lift--approximately 507 pounds--to secure the gold medal.
For Body and his family, the medal was the culmination of a long year of uncertainty and preparation. The original competition was scheduled for May but was canceled, leaving athletes unsure of when they would have another opportunity to compete. Rather than let the uncertainty derail his training, Body continued to work and adjust his program as new potential competition dates were announced.
His wife and fellow SkellaFit Coach, Erin Body, reflected on the long road to Mexico City:
"With the original competition being canceled for May, it was a long year of uncertainty. Bobby kept working and adjusting his program as possible dates were released. All of the hard work paid off today. Bobby is bringing home 8 Gold medals for the Parapan American Open Championships."
The 2026 victory marks the Harrisville resident's eighth gold medal at the Parapan American Open Championships, adding another milestone to an already impressive international career.
Body is no stranger to the biggest stages in Para powerlifting. He won gold at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, where he established a new Parapan American Games record. He went on to make his Paralympic debut at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, finishing fourth, before earning a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships.
For Body, however, the significance of the competition goes beyond a single medal.
The 2026 Parapan American Open Championships are part of the qualification pathway toward the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, giving athletes an opportunity to earn valuable ranking points as they work toward another appearance on the world’s biggest Para sporting stage.
His performance in Mexico City is another step toward that goal--and another reminder of the level of dedication required to compete internationally.
For the SkellaFit community in Alpena, watching Body compete on the international stage has an added significance. Body joined SkellaFit as its Bench Press Coach, bringing not only an extraordinary competitive résumé but also his experience, knowledge and passion for strength training to the gym.
"We are fortunate to have someone as kind, compassionate, knowledgeable and hardworking as Bobby on our team." said Skellafit owner Cristi Johnson "Our powerlifters were able to watch this competition online right before their own Bench Press training, and to say it was inspirational is a serious understatement. His dedication to the craft is unmatched. We can't wait to see him perform in LA28."
From a 220-kilogram opening lift to a 230-kilogram gold-medal finish, Bobby Body once again demonstrated what it means to compete with strength, determination and purpose.
One competition. One gold medal. Eight Parapan American Open Championship golds. And one more step toward Los Angeles 2028.
For Bobby and the SkellaFit team, the long wait was worth it.