Limerick’s dominance in the powerlifting circles was further enhanced when the local competitors claimed seven Gold medals and four Silver medals at EPC European championships last weekend in Amsterdam.
Half the national teamed hailed from Limerick where 9 lifters represented the treaty city as part of the 18 member Irish squad lifting in Amsterdam.
The lifters where represented from three different clubs in Limerick, (JJB, Southill, Olympic gold). This competition was a three day event. The main events took place on Friday and Saturday; this consisted of full power lifting which was squatting, bench pressing and deadlifting. On Sunday there were single disciplines, bench press and deadlift.
On the opening day Angie Mc Namara competed in the 67.5kg category, with a squat of 155kg, a very impressive world record bench press of 86kg and a deadlift of 177.5kg. Angie set two new world records. These records were recorded in the bench press and in her overall totals, with a monstrous total 418.5kg. With this achievement Angie took Gold and deservedly won overall female champion lifter.
Mark Higgins competed in the teenage 75kg category, squatting 140kg, benching 100kg and deadlifting 175kg, totalling 415 kg. This was another fine display from the young man who is relatively new to the sport, this achievement secured second place Silver medal.
Barry Keehan competed in the junior 67.5kg category, squatting 225kg, benching 127.5kg and deadlifting 220kg, totalling 572.5kg. This was yet another top class performance from Barry setting two new world records, in the squat and in the deadlift, receiving first place Gold medal.
Saturday saw Shane Brody compete in the 90kg open category, Shane had the distinction of being the Irish Teams captain, a worthy honour for this highly decorated Limerick man, squatting 332.5kg, benching 187kg and deadlifting, 265kg, totalling 785kg. Shane broke yet another world record recording a huge 332.5kg squat, secured second place silver medal on the day.
Sunday saw the single events, Angie Mc Namara competed in the 67.5kg category, benching 90kg Gold, deadlifting 150kg Gold, again receiving best lifter for both events.
Barry Keehan competed in the junior 75kg category deadlifting 220kg Gold.
Darren Quinn competed in the junior 82.5kg category deadlifting 200kg Gold.
John Quinn competed in the junior 90kg category deadlifting 190kg Gold.
Michael Vaughan competed in the 100kg open category deadlifting 270kg Silver.
Pat Mc Namara competed in the 100kg open category benching 205kg Silver.
Ireland also managed to pull off the Best Overall Team a ward, beating stiff competition.
Ireland took best overall team a ward and for the second time in less than twelve months Ireland retains the same honours. Next championship will take place in Limerick 27.09.09 national single lift championships. The world championships take place in Los Vegas in November.
