Jordan ‘lifts’ gold at World championships
A YOUNG power lifter from Dundalk has secured his second world record in just six months after he competed at the under-18 world championships in Belgium recently.
De La Salle College student Jordan Holland (16) only took up the sport 18 months ago but, thanks to the work he’s putting in with the team at Oak Gym, Jocelyn Street, he powered his way to the world single squat lift title, breaking the previous record by lifting 150kgs.
Jordan, a TY student from Cuchullainn Terrace, was part of the Irish under-18 team and represented his country in the 67.5kg category.
He managed to beat off stiff competition from 18 other competitors and took the gold medal in what was his first international competition, completing four lifts in just seven minutes.
And his medal haul didn’t end there – he also won a silver in the dead lift competition, lifting 170kgs, though he did attempt a 182.5kg lift, which, if successful, would have secured a second gold for him.
Dad Kevin and mum Laurie are rightly thrilled with their son’s sporting success and the fact that he has managed to continue with his school work.
And this is not the first time that Jordan has risen to prominence on the power lifting circuit – he won a national title in May and his first one, a single lift title, back in February.
Kevin said: ‘He has taken it all in his stride and he really enjoys the sport.
‘It has boosted his confidence and we are delighted to see that he’s doing so well at it’.
Fresh from his international success, Jordan is already training for the national championships in September. Kevin said: ‘He’s going to start off the training lightly, increasing the volume of reps and then concentrate on increasing the weight’.
Jordan has been training at Oak Gym with his coach, Barry Smith, and Darren Donnelly. In addition, the teenager has been supported in his nutrition by Mega Pump Protein and the Hollands are very grateful to the companies for their continued support of Jordan.
Kevin travelled to Belgium last week with Jordan and his younger brother, Ben, coach Barry and Kevin Dullaghan to assist.
He said: ‘It was a great weekend and great for Jordan to meet other competitors from all over the world – as well as winning the medals!’