The final day of the Para Powerlifting World Championships have arrived and it was time for Sean Hughes to compete, closing out a phenomenal week for Irish Powerlifting.

Competing in the Up to 88kg class, Hughes was appearing at the World Championships for the first time. Entering the Championships with a personal best of 142kg, the Meath man immediately set the tone by going for a new lifetime best with his round one lift.

Sean Hughes prepares for his lift at the Para Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai.

With 147kg on the bar, Sean received three white flags to signal a good lift from the judges. Teammates and travelling Irish erupted in celebration as he punched the air. It had been a long week for Hughes as he waited for his moment to compete and one round in, it was already living up to the phrase that “good things come to those who wait”.

Round two then saw Hughes attempt to build on his newly set best, with another 5kg racked up, as he attempted to press 152kg.

A well-executed lift and it was another cause for celebration in Dubai as he set a new lifetime best for the second time in the space of 10 minutes.

In round three, Sean attempted to lift 156kg but it would prove to be just a step too far, being rejected on the press sequence. It brought Team Ireland’s appearance at the World Championships to a close in spectacular style.

The largest Irish team to attend a World Championships, a team featuring five female athletes, two medals won in junior World Championships, one in the senior World Championships and many new lifetime bests achieved, it has been a resounding success for Ireland’s powerlifting athletes.

Sean Hughes celebrates as he sets a new lifetime best at the Para Powerlifting World Championships.

Once the powerlifters return to Ireland, attention turns to the Irish National Championships later this year, with a date to be confirmed shortly.

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