What can we say about the Winter Open but WOW! No doubt everyone took away
something different and special from the day, (and I encourage you all to post your
favourite highlights in the comments of our socials!) What was your favourite moment? I
can’t decide if it was seeing more girls in the competition than ever before, seeing Brenda
pass her ref exam with 100% textbook answers to all 100 questions, or the sheer amount of
people wanting to help and be involved this year. Or was it the fact that despite it being
decided at the last minute that this would be a charity event, we still raised 245 euros for
the Children’s Bumbleance thanks to your generosity?! On behalf of the entire GPC Ireland
committee, thank you to AJ and his crew, Sean and Christy for spotting and loading, Amy
and Celine for the table, and everyone else who helped on the day, and of course to our
lifters!
The Best Lifters of the day were as follows:
Best Female Open: Nicola Lynch
Best Female Master: Erika Busminaite
Best Bench Press: Niall O’Keeffe
Best Deadlift: Niall Reddan
Best Teen: Desmond Kellegher
Best Male Open: Dean Purcell
Best Male Master: Jason Airton
I remain so humbled, honoured and grateful to be your national president. 2024 was an
awesome year for GPC Ireland. I realise how blessed we are to have an amazing team. I
would like to thank Liam (PRO and webmaster) and Ed (Photographer and new Records
Keeper for 2025) for working tirelessly behind the scenes, for creating and running
Powerliftingnews.ie and all our socials. We welcomed new referees Daniel, Siobhan, Brenda
and Nial this year. Heart-warmingly, we welcomed several young lifters who are following
in their father’s footsteps by getting under the bar. We bid Richie an enjoyable retirement
as he took a step back to have more fun with his family. (We miss you already Richie; don’t
be a stranger). We have had the best partners in Strength and Fitness gym in Carrick on Suir,
Ironworx Gym in Enfield, Asylum Gym in Dublin and of course the legendary Hercules Gym in
Dublin! Our sponsors include MM Consulting, Galway Trophy Centre and Monster Power.
(Click on the link on powerliftingnews.ie for their discount code for GPC lifters). Most
importantly, we have continued to focus on our mission of making each and every lifter feel
safe and welcomed, regardless of their age or experience. Thank each and every one of you
who was involved this year, especially our lifters!
Wishing you a safe and joyful winter holiday season, and see you all in 2025!
~ Jenny