Paris, France — Bobby Body and Ashley Dyce had competed against the best para powerlifters in the world before. Both of them had plenty of world championship experience under their belt.

Now, both of them have competed on the biggest stage para powerlifting has to offer.

11 days after the Opening Ceremony, Body and Dyce finally got their first taste of Paralympic competition on Sunday.

“The one thing that was tough was waiting so long,” said Body. “We arrived on the 26th, and then today’s the last day of the Games, so it’s like we had to wait until the very last.”

“I didn’t have any anxiety or worry,” remarked Dyce. “I’m kind of used to going last in this sport, so it was kind of normal for me, it would just give me enough time to acclimate and train and just enjoy this experience.”

Body, 50, had previously competed in the 97 kg weight class in para powerlifting, but made the jump to 107. The Army veteran who lost his leg due to a bomb during a mission in Iraq completed his first lift of 218 kilograms routinely. Body pushed it to 230 and 232 respectively in his other two lifts, but it didn’t go his way. Unsuccessful lifts kept Body’s best lift at 218, but that was still good for fourth place.

“It wasn’t a strength issue, it was a technique issue,” explained Body. “When I pressed it, they said that the press sequence was, because that bar literally has to go down and up, it cannot even a little bit one side go faster than the other.”

Dyce, 37, previously found success in javelin and shot put at the national level before making the transition to para powerlifting. Dyce was successful in her first lift and built on it in her second, finishing in eighth place with a lift of 112 kilograms.

“So many things are going through my head,” said Dyce. “It’s been a tough season, it’s been a hard year, but I just thank God that I’m here, that I was able to compete, represent my country, represent my hometown, represent my family, it’s been a great journey, great opportunity. “

Qualifying for the Paralympic Games is a major accomplishment. Now that both Body and Dyce have the taste of it in Paris, they both have their eyes on more in Los Angeles.

“I just loved every minute of being out here,” proclaimed Body. “I’ve had such a great time and I’ve met so many great people from all the countries, and so many people from other countries, ‘I want to come to the U.S. and train with you’, you know, stuff like that.”

“This is just a little appetizer,” said Dyce. “In four years, you’re gonna see me again. Look for me at the top of the podium in four years.