Galway Kettlebell Club took home 3 medals at the annual All Ireland Kettlebell Lifting Federations National Kettlebell Championships in Cork at the weekend.
Sarah Smith club coach and director took gold in the professional division lifting with a bodyweight of 65.8kg lifitng a 24kg kettlebell for 10 minutes with a one hand switch in the Long Cycle discipline achieving 52 repetitions, this is the highest volume Sarah has ever completed and is one of a few women in Ireland and Europe competing at this level.
Kettlebell Sport ( Girevoy Sport ) is Russian and is a very gruelling and tough sport involving strength,endurance,flexibility and stamina as well as mind power.
Sarah SmithGalway Kettlebell Club Coach and Director
Sarah competed at her first competition in July 2011 with an 8kg kettlebell and has competed nationally at every AIKLF competition since
She is the official Connaught representative and commitee member on AIKLF as well as coach and club director of Galway Kettlebells
Other winners from the club included Galway women:
Michelle Sweeney, lifting 12Kg in the Snatch amateur discipline category achieving Gold and Rank 1 in her discipline
Maggie Duff lifting a 12Kg in the Long Cycle veteran discipline category
The two day event was held at The Commons Inn , Cork on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February.
Athletes were selected for The AIKLF ( All Ireland Kettlebell Lifting Federation ) Irish Team in Snatch and Long Cycle to compete internationally.
With over 100 competitors in total battling it out on the day from various clubs ( 17 in total )attending from throughout Ireland including Cork,Dublin,Galway, Waterford,Wexford, Belfast, Limerick,Meath, Longford,Portlaoise, etc..there are over 225 official members of AIKLF. ( www.aiklf.com )
Kettlebell weights start at 8kg for women and up to 24kg – for males they start at 12kg and go up to 32kg
There were several athletes competing in various categories competing including Juniors ( youngest was 11yrs old) Seniors,Veterans etc..
Galway Kettlebell Club is hosting a beginners 5 minute competition on Saturday 5th April and is looking for competitors to take part. For more details visit www.galwaykettlebells.com
Galway Kettlebell club is located at the Hibs soccer club in Bohermore.
Maggie Duff bronze in 12kg Long Cycle discipline and Sarah Smith gold in 24kg Long Cycle discipline club coach and director (missing from photo Michelle Sweeney gold in Snatch discipline 12kg
