The largest-ever Irish para powerlifting team is set to compete at the 2023 Para Powerlifting World Championships which runs from from Tuesday 22 August to 30 August.
This will be the third time the Emirate will host the Para Powerlifting Worlds after the 2014 and 1998 editions and this year, the event will witness around 500 elite powerlifters (including 56 juniors) from 80 countries vying for top honours at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City.
The team represents the largest contingent of Irish athletes to participate in the games and also boasts the largest female representation to date. The World Championships mark a major milestone for two aspiring Paralympians – Niamh Buckley, the youngest member of the team at just 18 years old, and Britney Arendse, 24, both of whom are vying for a place in the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris next year.
“IWA-Sport is immensely proud to be sending our largest-ever team to the Para Powerlifting Games,” shared Head Coach, Roy Guerin. “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.”
Expressing her elation, Niamh Buckley said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Ireland at the World Championships. I have poured my heart and soul into my training, and I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from my coach and my family. I can’t wait to step onto the stage and give it my all.”
Niamh Buckley added, “I know the competition will be intense in Dubai, but I am confident that my training and previous experience competing in Tokyo in 2020 have prepared me well. I will stay focused and give everything I have.”
The competition will be streamed live on World Para Powerlifting website and Facebook channel.
Timetables and live results can be accessed at www.paralympic.org/powerlifting/live-results.
Team Ireland
Britney Arendse
Ruairi Devlin
Niamh Buckley
Angela Long
Casey Fitzgerald
Nicola Dore
Sean Hughes
Head Coach – Roy Guerin
