Drogheda man Thomas ready to take on the world
DROGHEDA powerlifter Thomas McCague has qualified for this summer’s AWPC World Championships in Manchester after an outstanding series of lifts at the IPO-AIPO, WPC competition in Limerick recently.
The Rathmullen Park native won the AIPO (Amateur Irish Powerlifting Organisation) federation title in the Under-82.5kg category, benching 132.5, 137.5 and then a new personal best of 145kg in the process.
The tournament, held at Limerick Powerlifting Club and organised by promoter Shane Brodie, also acted as a qualifier for this year’s European Championships in France and the Worlds, and McCague will be eligible to compete in those big events.
However, with both taking place within the space of a few weeks, the Drogheda man has opted to focus on the Manchester tournament run by the AWPC (Amateur World Powerlifting Congress), which is in August.
Commenting on his latest achievement, McCague said: ‘I am delighted to be competing at the Worlds and will begin training in the next few months for that.
‘I want to thank my coach Eamonn Harford for training me and everyone in Laoch Barbell, and also family and friends for the continued well-wishes.’
Members of the Laoch Barbell gym, based in Scholes Lane in Drogheda, have had phenomenal success in recent championships, with their 15 competitive powerlifters landing more than 50 National titles and winning three golds at the WPC World Championships in Russia.
They also landed both Best Lifter awards - for male and female - at the recent AIPO National Single Lift Competition.