Irish weightlifter Clarence Kennedy has claimed three bronze medals at the prestigious European Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.
This is the first European medal for Weightlifting Ireland and encouragement for all the many weightlifting athletes , volunteer officials and support staff in Ireland. Kennedy overcame athletes from Great Britain, Poland & Latvia to secure third place.
Kennedy (20) is already the highest ranked male Irish weightlifter of all time and is already focusing on the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Kennedy snatched an Irish record 148kg to win bronze in the first half of the competition and then went on to Clean and Jerk an Irish record 180kg to secure both the Clean and Jerk and overall bronze medals.
Watch Clarence in action here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adj3wCNy_4w
Speaking afterwards, Weightlifting Ireland President Harry Leech congratulated Kennedy for his success in a performance which saw him beat athletes from powerhouses of European and World weightlifting:
“Clarence is an unprecedented phenomenon in Irish Weightlifting, with potential to become one of the greatest athletes Ireland has ever produced, from any sport. His result is a testament to his talent, hard work and perseverance and he is a credit to his family, who were present to see him win his three bronze medals,” he said,
“I hope that the Irish Sports Council will now agree to support Clarence as he is a phenomenal athlete with amazing potential. If Clarence is to reach the medal podium at European and World championships, and to grace the platform at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, he needs funding to train full time.”
A total of 5 Athletes from Ireland competed in different classes, with each athlete creating a new European PB.
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