They were part of a 73-strong Team Ireland, which won a total of 75 medals in a range of sports including badminton, basketball, equestrian, golf and gymnastics. Team Ulster’s medals were won across nine sports and consisted of nine gold, six silver and seven bronze titles.
Springing to success in gymnastics, Johnny McCartney and Aaron Lenzi, both Co Antrim, and Haleigh Miskimmin, from Prostar Gymnastics, Newtownards, secured the highest volume of medals with 17 podium finishes including six gold, five silver and six bronze.
Newry All Stars club had multiple medal winners with Leah Fagan securing two bronze medals in equestrian and Dearbhail Savage and Chloe Hillen both winning a silver medal each in golf. Claire O’Neill made the Lisburn2gether club proud after winning a bronze medal in badminton and James Meenan, from Newry City Special Olympics Club, scored a gold medal in football for Team Ireland.
Three athletes from Co Tyrone brought home four gold medals for Team Ireland. Sammy Jo Sweeney from Starbreakers Special Olympics Club won two gold medals in Bocce and Eamon Quinn and Raymond Singleton, from Eagles Special Olympics Club, scored a gold medal each in football.
Berlin welcomed more than 7,000 Special Olympics Athletes and Unified Partners from 190 nations to the World Summer Games.
13. Podium Stars
Team Ireland's Sammy Jo Sweeney, a member of Starbreakers Special Olympics Club, from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, together with her mum Joanne is interviewed by Paul Flynn, of RTÉ, on day four of the World Special Olympic Games 2023 at the Messe Berlin in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
14. Podium Stars
Team Ulster badminton members (L-R): athlete Claire' O'Neill, coach Kim McCrave, athlete Colm Monahan and coach Mags Curtin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Photo: David Fitzgerald / SPORTSFILE
15. Podium Stars
Ulster Region athletes and coaches at the official launch of Team Ireland for the World Games 2023 at Carlton Hotel in Tyrellstown, Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Photo: David Fitzgerald / SPORTSFILE
16. Podium Stars
Team Ulster athlete Johnny McCartney pictured at Dublin Airport on return from the World Special Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE