Based in Southside Barbell Gym, the Limerick powerlifting club left their mark on the World Powerlifting championships in Portugal last month with six members claiming gold.
Despite his tender years, 18-year-old Darragh O’Keeffe was the first to take home gold breaking two world records in the process, all the while competing in his first ever international event.
On the same day, Shane Brodie, Ireland’s most decorated lifter, took to the stage as he looked to add his tally of 22 world titles. Brodie collected gold in both the open category and also the masters category, breaking world records in the process to add to the 19 he already holds.
Brodie also also won the absolute overall best lifter in the championships and was full of praise for the team spirit shown by the group throughout the competition.
Following in their footsteps, Martin O’Mahony took home gold in the masters category on Day two. In his first international, O’Mahony took home the honour of best overall Master lifter.
16-year old Oisin Smyth announced his arrival onto the international scene bagging a gold and breaking three world records on the Day Three Raw classic. Mark Cosgrave followed by winning gold in the 90kg open category.
Ray Foley was the sixth member of the team to taste gold, another claiming the top prize in their maiden international. After initially struggling by failing his first two squat attempts, Foley surged into life to take home the gold. On Day Four Ray was back in the venue to take part in the Single-lift benchpress Masters Raw category.
The team was handled and helped in the warm up by one of the Southside Barbell coach Jamie Hogan who travelled to Portugal to be there for the team.
The team had great support from family friends that also travelled to Portugal to witness the Limerick Powerlifting team dominate.
Total medal tally
Gold = 8
Best Master lifter = 1
Absolute overall winners = 1
World records = 4