A massive congratulations is due to all the lifters who represented team Ireland at this year’s European Championships in Lithuania.
As per usual, everyone gave 100% and left a positive impression both on and off the platform within the realm of the EPF and IPF community.
This year saw Ireland take a massive 19 medals home, with the sub juniors setting the bench mark.
They also gained our first Sub Junior European Champion, Jodie Ring. The performance in Lithuania shows that the future is very bright for the IrishPF with the quality of younger lifters constantly improving.
Only a few years ago there was no sub juniors competing and that trend has now been completely reversed with 14 medals won in this year. This is largely down to the coaching quality throughout the IrishPF and younger lifters pushing each other to get better domestically which drives up standard. The introduction of Junior Nationals has also really added something to the younger members who compete earlier than ever.
The Open team did equally as well with Janine Martin earning the first ever Open European title. Despite some injuries resulting in some of the big names having to drop out of this meet or being unable to compete at their best, the team still produced some of its finest work and brought home some silverware.
Most notably the female team that placed fifth (it’s highest ever position) and picked up a host of medals. The male team saw a large number make their debuts. Although medals were not plentiful in this group, some solid performances led to the breaking of national records.
The success of the Irish Powerlifting Federation is a result of not only the athletes, but all the behind the scene administration work. Massive thank you to Louise Millar, Lauren Rooney Crowe and Rob for all their administration work.
Head coach Jay Farrant did a short stint this time around due to domestic competitions. Stephen Cusack and coach Sean Crowe did the entire stint and their performance was faultless as senior coaches and are a backbone to the coaching set up.
Coaches Jack Thornton, David O’Connor, Shannon Pollock and Danielle Gault were also fantastic and we look forward to them taking on more coaching opportunities in 2020 along with some or the other new coaches that have come on board this year. Once again big thank you to all the lifters coaches, committee and members who support this year’s European team.
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