County Derry man represents Ireland at the European Weightlifting Masters Championship

County Derry man’s ‘dreams came true’ as he represented Ireland at the 2024 European Master Weightlifting Championship.

Joe O’Hara finished sixth in his weight division at the competition in Haugesund, Norway, on Friday, June 16.

The Glack man has set his sights on next year's championship. 

He said: “It was a dream come true. 

“I managed to achieve my personal best in clean and clean jerk. 

“The training for next year started yesterday, as I was back in the gym.

“I weighed in at 77kg, four kilograms under the weight. So I’ll look to put on a bit for next year, it won’t be easy but that is the aim along with another personal best.”

Mr. O’Hara said that he has loved every moment of the experience while in Norway and commented on how welcoming and supportive the town of Haugesund was. 

He said: “All the competitors were given access to gyms around the city. 

“The whole place was friendly, and I loved it here.

“During the competition, I had two bad lifts to begin with; maybe it was the nerves, but everyone started cheering ‘Ireland, Ireland, Ireland’ on my third lift, and it was an amazing feeling to achieve it on the stage. 

“And the other competitors were so competitive; I was talking to the Spanish athlete as I had been practicing my Spanish for a while, and another competitor gave me a supportive tap on the bum before I went on stage.”

The 2024 Masters Weightlifting Championship is set to be held in four weeks and has come too early for Mr. O’Hara, but next year's European Championship in Albania is the goal for the Glack man.

And next year, Mr. O’Hara may look to bring his biggest fans to Durres.

He said: “My two children had the day off on Friday to watch me.

“I got an overwhelming amount of support from the family, extended family, and friends. It was a surreal experience.

“I honestly feel amazing; it was such a fantastic experience.”