Derry teenager set to represent Ireland in underage Powerlifting World Championship

A Derry teenager is set to represent Ireland at the sub-junior and junior powerlifting world championships in Malta.

Ajay Mulhern has become the first powerlifter from Derry to represent Ireland in this competition. 

The current Irish U-18 champion is incredibly proud to be able to travel to Malta and compete for his country. 

He said: “It is an amazing feeling, honestly.

“Very few people get the chances I have been given to this point and compete in a world championship in the sport I love.

“I’m grateful for my opportunities. I love my family and the support they have given me, along with the community that I have built in this gym; it is so supportive.”

Mulhern did not envisage ever getting to this point when he began lifting weights. 

The 18-year-old joked that he had a difficult start to his weight-lifting life.

He said: “I had signed up to a gym when I was 15, obviously too young if I was following the rules, but from my size and lying about my age, I got away with it. But my friend was signing up a month or so later, and he told me I could get it cheaper if I said I was a student, which I was. 

“So I inquired about it, and they started checking the system for me, and that is what caught me out—were they going and finding I was 15. They started questioning me and found out I was only 15 so cancelled my membership on the spot. That's what I get for chasing a bargain. 

“I was then out of the gym for a month, and I was itching to get back in over that period.”

Mulhern was quick to get back into his weights, and he said he has found a second home at Top Tier gym. 

(Left to right: Jacob Heaney-Henderson, Ajay Mulhern, Jack McGowan)

As the teenager walked around the gym, everyone greeted him with a smile, and he had time to stop and talk to everyone with such admiration and interest. 

He said: “I love it here; it is like a second home for me. 

“It is mad the difference between a commercial gym and this gym here. The community is so different. 

“You think that everyone in this powerlifting gym would be so angry and rude looking at them, particularly when lifting a weight, but it couldn’t be further from the truth; they, honest to God, are the nicest, most welcoming, and most friendly people you will meet.”

Mulhern is confident of his chances, despite a few issues in his preparations, and feels that if he can achieve something over there, it will feel that much sweeter following the hiccups.

His confidence comes from his ability to defy, as he currently holds all the national records at his age with the squat record (250 kg), deadlift national record (285 kg), and total national record (673 kg).

But Mulhern admitted he could never have imagined achieving this only a couple of years ago. 

He said: “Originally I got into lifting weights for my health, and it did feel nice getting into shape at the start. But as time went on, I came to realise that I truly loved pushing myself and seeing if I could lift heavier and heavier weights.

“Powerlifting has come so natural to me.

“Getting into powerlifting is like a book I found. You look at the front cover, and it looks intimidating at first glance, but as you read page after page, you get to know it, and the easier it is, the more you enjoy it.”

Mulhern’s event will begin at 12pm BST on September 8, with it being streamed live on YouTube.

And the 18-year-old can’t wait to get out on stage following all the work he and his coach Ethan McLaughlin (EMcStrength) have put in. 

He said: “I never thought I would make it this far. I had a good coach that put me in the mindset of allowing me to believe that I have no limits or boundaries and I can go anywhere and achieve it if you dedicate yourself to it long enough.”