GIVING THE TOWN A LIFT

DOZENS of the biggest names in sport - quite literally - will head to Ballymoney this weekend.

One of the biggest powerlifting competitions ever held in Northern Ireland is set to take place in the Joey Dunlop Centre on Saturday 13 March.

The showpiece event - organised by Sam Graham and sponsored by Complete Gyms - is in its sixth year and continues to go from strength to strength.

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And it is set to raise the bar again this year with the sport's top competitors from across the UK and Ireland due to take part in the GPC Championships.

"There are 22 lifters lined-up at the moment", said Sam (pictured right) who has a number of World and European titles under his belt.

"They are from throughout the UK and five or six from the south of Ireland, as well as a number of locals.

"It should be a great day and it always gets a good crowd."

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World record lifts have been performed at the event in the past - including one by local man Gerry McAfee - and Sam isn't ruling out the possibility of more records being smashed this weekend.

"You never know," he said.

"It's very possible with the standard of those competing."

Despite his own pedigree in the powerlifting world, Sam says he won't be getting any chalk on his hands on Saturday.

"No, I'll leave it to the other guys.

"I'll be doing a lot of running about on the day and there is a lot of work involved behind the scenes so I'd say it would be easier taking part!" he laughed.

A star attraction is Jamie Burke - one of this country's finest powerlifters - and Thomas Kelly, a legendary figure in the sport.

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And for the first time two female competitiors will take part - one from Belfast and the other the Netherlands.

Another world champion will be on show, Gerry McNamara, who will be helping to judge the event.

Admission is just 3 and the doors open at 10am.