POWERLIFTING: Great Easter weekend for Derry Powerlifters

Gerard Gray from Derry Powerlifting club, who competed at the Irish Powerlifting Organisation national championships and Pro invitational powerlifting event.

On the Friday, the girls took to the platform and they performed well.

Karla Harkin took first place in the under 56kg class, squatting 107.5kg, benching 57.5kg and deadlifting 125kg, totalling 290kg.

Katie Ewing secured a third place in a very closely contested under 60kg class, the highlight of her competition was her 142.5kg deadlift at 56.8kg bw.

Dani Nic Aoidh was in first place in the under 60kg single ply class, and in the process taking 4 Irish records - squatting 145kg, benching 72.5kg, deadlifting 160kg and the overall total of 377.5kg all at 58kg body weight.

On the Saturday it was the guys turn to step up and Gerard Gray took first place in the under 75kg class, finishing with an impressive 210kg deadlift at 73kg body weight.

Paul Lock was third place in the under 110kg class, weighing only 100kg. He was outsized but still managed an impressive performance, hitting a 210kg squat and 220kg deadlift.

Bosco Reid in the 90kg master section secured first place, putting in a great showing for his first competition.

On Sunday, Billy Hutchison and Emma Rogan competed in the first ever Irish Pro Invitational, which saw lifters from across the world coming to lift with 1000’s of euros in prize money up for grabs.

Emma Rogan did fantastically well, setting 4 all time Irish records in the under 60kg Raw class - squatting 150kg, benching 72.5kg, deadlifting 160kg, totalling 382.5kg.

This gave her a sixth place finish out of 15 lifters which was an incredible performance against some the world’s best.

Billy Hutchison did himself and the club proud in the under 90kgs section, hitting personal bests in both squat 240kg at 80kg body weight and 142.5kg bench press. Before finishing with an easy 250kg deadlift to give him an impressive 632.5kg total, adding 20kg to his previous best total.

The club now looks forward to hosting the IPO singles lift bench press and deadlifting championships at the Maldron Hotel in the city on Saturday September 3rd.

If anyone who would have an interest in lifting should visit the club’s Facebook page.