Europe’s strongest fight it out for powerlifting crown

Some of the strongest men and women from across Europe are converging on a small rural Irish town this weekend.

For the next two days Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, will attract hundreds of weight-lifters and spectators from as far afield as Estonia, Italy, France, and Turkey to battle it out for the European title.

The 2013 European Championships of the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation is being organised by the Irish branch of the sport, the IDFPA.

Peter Lucey from the Cork IT Powerlifting Club said he is optimistic about the chances of the national team take some of the honours this weekend.

“The Irish team is looking very strong after the nationals last month we’ll be expecting a big performance in our own back yard,” said Mr Lucey.

“We have lifters as young as 14 and one man from Bandon is aged 67. And this year the ladies division is looking very strong,”

Clare Connolly, aged 35, from Dublin, only took up powerlifting in the last year and she hopes to go on and represent Ireland at the World Championships next November.

However, last night, she said her main concern was trying to lose another crucial 100g in order to squeeze into her weight category this morning.

“According to my home scales, I need to lose a few hundred grams to make weight so I picked a hotel in Castleblaney that has a late opening sauna so I can sweat it out,” she said.

“I’ll just have to sit in there until I get kicked out. It’s not the healthiest way of doing it but I want to make my category.”

Ms Connolly said the sport is a great way of getting fit and strong.

“It’s very different to body-building,” she said. “Body-building is about how your body looks but powerlifting is about how strong you are. So we might not look as strong or muscley as a bodybuilder but we’re probably stronger. And not a fake tan in sight.

“We’re training the whole body for strength rather than just isolating muscles to make them look bigger for show.

“People think the competitions will be all macho posturing but they’re actually a lot of fun and extremely open and encouraging to female competitors. I would say to any women wanting to feel good, fit, and strong to get lifting.”

Ms Connolly, who works as an advertising producer, joked that she risks not making her weight category because she ate too many freebies while working on a chocolate bar ad.

However, since taking up powerlifting, in which the 53kg Sligo native lifts weights as heavy as 100kg, her diet has had to become disciplined.

“I’ve got to lift over 70kg from a squat,” she said. “I’ve lifted it in the gym but it’s different when you step up to the stage. There are stricter rules and there are nerves. But you just roll with the adrenaline and do it. Hopefully.”

Mr Lucey said he is optimistic about the national team’s chances.

“The Irish team is looking very strong after the nationals last month,” he said. “We’ll be expecting a big performance in our own back yard.”

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to host such a prestigious competition and we would encourage as many people to come down and support as possible”, said Tom Coyle president of the event organisers, the Irish Drug-Free Powerlifting Association.

The event takes place at the Iontas Centre. Admission is free and the doors open at 9am . For more see www.idfpa.net.