Day 4 of the Para Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai saw the return to action for Ireland. With four powerlifting athletes all competing in the Middle East.

Day 4 of the Para Powerlifting World Championships saw Angela Long, Casey Fitzgerald and Britney Arendse all compete on Saturday morning in the Up to 73kg weight class. While Ruairi Devlin made his senior World Championship debut, competing in the Up to 65kg weight class.

Casey Fitzgerald celebrates after a new lifetime best of 76kg

Long and Fitzgerald both took to the stage in group C in the Up to 73kg class, as both women made their senior World Championships debut. It was a strong start for both athletes, Angela lifting 68kg cleanly on her first lift while Casey lifted 72kg.

The second round saw Cork native, Angela Long lift a lifetime best of 71kg. While Casey Fitzgerald, who hails from Cavan also set a new lifetime best, lifting 76kg, besting her previous record of 75kg set just three days earlier when she claimed the gold medal in the Junior World Championships.

Angela Long reacts to setting a new lifetime best of 71kg.

Both women attempted to go for new lifetime bests in the third and final round but Long’s attempt of 75kg was a no lift due to faulting on the press sequence. While Fitzgerald’s attempt of 78kg was ruled out on the press sequence as well.

As a result, Casey finished 3rd and Angela placed 5th in group C, respectively.

It was then confirmed that Angela Long sealed a bronze medal in the Up to 73kg Legends category for total lifted (139kg), rounding out an incredible debut for the Cork woman.

Angela Long (centre) poses with her bronze medal alongside coach Roy Guerin (left) and Tadgh Buckley (right) at the Para Powerlifting World Championships, Dubai

Britney Arendse closed out the morning session in Dubai, as she looked to strengthen her chances of booking her place for the Paralympic Games in Paris next summer.

Round one was a strong start, pressing 120kg cleanly. In round two, Arendse smashed her lifetime best when she lifted 124kg to put herself in a good position heading into the final round.

Britney Arendse at the Para Powerlifting World Championships, Dubai 2023

The third and final attempt for 128kg was a no-lift on the press sequence but sealed a fifth place finish thanks to her lifetime best of 124kg on her previous lift.

Ruairi Devlin made his debut at the senior World Championships, getting the competition underway, his first lift at 75kg cleared with ease. On the second round, Devlin aimed to press 80kg, unfortunately this was flagged as a no lift due to the stop sequence.

Ruairi Devlin highly charged as he makes his way to the stage at the Senior World Championships

On the final round, the Kinsale man attempted to press 82kg but faltering during the press sequence meant it was a no lift, bringing a close to his debut appearance at the World Championships.

New lifetime bests, medals and eyes still fixed on a spot to Paris for the Paralympic Games concludes day 4 for Ireland’s para powerlifters.

Next up are Niamh Buckley and Nicola Dore on Sunday at 1pm Irish time, competing in the Up to 61kg weight class.