Arendse qualifies for Paralympics as Fitzgerald takes home two golds

Cavan's Britney Arendse has qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics; while Casey Fitzgerald ranks 13th in the world and takes home two gold medals from the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Georgia.

Eighteen-year-old Fitzgerald, from Mullagh, did what she set out to do, smashing two personal bests bench pressing 79kg and 82kg. Competing in the up to 73kg weight category, her third lift of 85kg proved too much of a challenge, but she was still delighted with her result, finishing first in her category.

Arendse, also from Mullagh, narrowly failed her 126kg lift on the first round but comfortably pushed it up on the second. With a stage best of 128kg, Britney attempted 130kg in the third round but couldn’t make the lift. She was ranked sixth in the category, seeing her qualify for the Paralympics this August, which will be Arendse's second Paralympic appearance.

Casey lifted at 7am Irish time on Monday morning, while Britney lifted later in the afternoon.

Speaking from the Georgian capital on Tuesday morning, Casey was thrilled with her achievement.

“I won two gold medals,” the young sports star beamed down the line.

“I felt amazing, I felt.. I was very happy,” she said.

Casey won two gold medals in the same competition in Dubai last year. Next, Casey has her eyes set on a national competition in Kells. In the longer term, she is aiming for a paralympic appearance in the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028.

The sports star was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy at two years of age, which prohibits her from walking and standing.

Casey’s parents, Noel and Tracey, travelled to Georgia with her, both of whom are thrilled with their daughter's achievement.

“I know my mam and dad were very happy.”

Watching on from home was Casey’s coach, Bryan Foy who owns the Club Active Gym in Kells.

“I’ve been keeping him updated, sending him pictures.

“I made him very very happy I know that,” she said, adding that she video called her coach as soon as she finished lifting on Monday morning.

Casey will return home to Mullagh today, she thanked everyone who supported her on her Para Powerlifting journey to date.

“I’d like to thank all my supporters, my parents and of course my coach Bryan,” she said.

Casey’s inspiration in the sport is fellow Mullagh Para Powerlifter Britney Arendse, who has qualified for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Her appearance there will mean back to back Paralympic appearances after competing in Tokyo in 2020.

Prior to the competition, Britney said she planned to compete in Paris this year after which she will take a break to focus on her recovery.

Speaking to the Celt afterwards she said: "We came up with numbers i was comfortable with, a lot of hard work was put in with an injury.

"[I] came out with a good lift which qualified me for Paris so on to harder and better training," Britney said.