Longford power athletes to compete in European Finals
Three Longford powerlifting athletes are set to jet out to Madrid this week to take part in the Arnold Classic European Strongman and Strongwomen Championships.
Orla Brady, David Harrington and April Dardis are due to compete against some of Europe's leading performers in an event which is widely viewed as being among the most coveted on the international calendar.
The trio have been putting the finishing touches to a gruelling training regime which will see them undertake a series of exhausting challenges.
Drumlish woman Orla Brady is no stranger to the domestic as well as international strongwoman stage having competed in the European Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in May.
This is the first of three international shows planned over the next few weeks.
Orla is hoping to place higher than the Euros earlier this year and feels improvements have been made since May particularly with her posing.
The north Longford native is quietly relishing what this season might bring as it sees her taking part at the IFBB World Championships November in Santasuzanna, Spain.
She is also in the hunt for a second national title in Limerick and is hoping to secure the double this year. In a final message to her supporters, Orla thanked the many local people who have provided sponsorship towards her trips.
“Without their support these trips wouldn’t be possible,” she said.
Her female colleague, April Dardis' appetite for lifting weights emerged around eight years ago when competing in powerlifting competitions under 57kg.
Having taken time out from the sport after giving birth, April's yearning to get back into the industry re-emerged upon attending a strongman/woman competition that David competed in.
“I am competing in Strongwoman just over a year and have taken home a trophy and silver medal in that short time. Competing Internationally is the dream,” she said.
“I have big expectations for myself next year and excited to see where I can get but yet still have a lot to learn.”
David, meanwhile, who has been the brains behind the continued success of Midlands Strongest, said he is relishing the chance to rub shoulders with Europe's elite strongmen.
“After taking up strongman casually a number of years ago I tipped in and out of whatever comps I came across but in the last two years I’ve taken it a lot more serious competing in 13 competitions with 3 more planned this year including the Arnold European Strongman Championships where I will battle against some of Europes strongest under 80kg athletes really looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
David and April take part this Friday with Orla set to fly the Longford flag on Sunday.