Day five of the Para Powerlifting World Championships saw another two Irish athletes competing, with Niamh Buckley and Nicola Dore taking to the stage.

The duo were both in group C of the Up to 61kg class, with Buckley making her senior World Championship debut and Nicola Dore returning for her third World Championships. Buckley, who won silver in the junior World Championships earlier in the week was first up, attempting to lift 70kg.

Unfortunately, round one was red flagged for the press sequence. While Dublin-based Nicola Dore succumbed to a similar fate in the opening round when pressing 74kg, being marked no lift due to the press and stop sequences.

Niamh Buckley mid-lift at the Para Powerlifting World Championships, Dubai 2023

On the second round, Buckley stuck to her path instead of reattempting 70kg from the opening round. Lifting 75kg, successfully, it put the Cork woman on the board while setting a new lifetime best in the process.

For Dore, it was a chance at redemption, as she reattempted 74kg in round two, easily achieving a good lift this time around.

Nicola Dore completes her lift during the Para Powerlifting World Championships, Dubai 2023

The final round, Buckley attempted to go for a new lifetime best again, with 77kg racked up and bidding to take the lead. While managing to complete the lift, due to a hesitation during the press sequence, it was marked a no lift.

Nicola’s final attempt to match her lifetime best of 77kg, was incomplete on the press sequence.

After a thrilling weekend there’s a break for Team Ireland now, before the final powerlifter, Sean Hughes competes on Tuesday at 10:30am Irish time.