Irish weightlifter Clarence Kennedy has claimed three bronze medals at the prestigious European Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.
Kennedy overcame beating athletes from Great Britain, Poland & Latvia to secure third place and to become the first Irish weightlifter to win a medal at a competition at this level.
Kennedy (20) is already the highest ranked male Irish weightlifter of all time and is already focusing on the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Kennedy snatched an Irish record 148kg to win bronze in the first half of the competition and then went on to Clean and Jerk an Irish record 180kg to secure both the Clean and Jerk and overall bronze medals.
Speaking afterwards, Weightlifting Ireland President Harry Leech congratulated Kennedy for his success in a performance which saw him beat athletes from powerhouses of European and World weightlifting:
"Clarence is an unprecedented phenomenon in Irish Weightlifting, with potential to become one of the greatest athletes Ireland has ever produced, from any sport. His result is a testament to his talent, hard work and perseverance and he is a credit to his family, who were present to see him win his three bronze medals," he said,
"I hope that the Irish Sports Council will now agree to support Clarence as he is a phenomenal athlete with amazing potential. If Clarence is to reach the medal podium at European and World championships, and to grace the platform at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, he needs funding to train full time."
