Team Ireland made history by sending its largest-ever contingent of athletes to compete at the 2023 Para Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai from 22-30 August.
This year’s team also boasts the highest number of female athletes, with five female para-athletes being selected to compete in Dubai.
“IWA-Sport is immensely proud to be sending our largest-ever team to the Para Powerlifting Games,” Head Coach, Roy Guerin said. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication our athletes have put into preparing for this momentous event. We are incredibly excited and ready to compete.”
The moment Niamh Buckley and Casey Fitzgerald lifted their way to medals! Niamh lifted 74kg on her final attempt to claim silver and Casey claimed the gold when lifting 73kg on her final attempt! 🥇🥈🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/GH5yQyoFLq
— IWA-Sport (@IWASport) August 22, 2023
Niamh Buckley and Casey Fitzgerald were amongst the first athletes to compete in the Junior World Champs. In her first major competition debut, 17-year-old Fitzgerald won gold in the Up to 73kg class while Buckley earned a silver medal in the Up to 61kg class.
In the Senior World Champs, Angela Long achieved a lifetime best and bronze medal for total weight lifted in her world championship debut in the Up to 73kg Legends category. Fitzgerald and Tokyo Paralympian, Britney Arendse, also lifted lifetime bests in the Up To 73kg weight class.
It's a 3rd place finish for Casey Fitzgerald and 5th place finish for Angela Long in Group C for their debut Senior Para Powerlifting World Championships! A great start to the day for Ireland! 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/Emyn2AIG85
— IWA-Sport (@IWASport) August 26, 2023
Additionally, 18-year-old Buckley went on to soar to a lifetime best in her senior debut alongside Nicola Dore, who was returning for her third world championship competition.
After a remarkable performance in Dubai, the team will now turn their attention to the Irish National Championships, which will take place later this year.
Team Ireland
Britney Arendse
Ruairi Devlin
Niamh Buckley
Angela Long
Casey Fitzgerald
Nicola Dore
Sean Hughes
Head Coach – Roy Guerin