Kenneth Taaffe, IDFPA vice president, in action.

The Irish Drug Free Powerlifting Association (IDFPA) National Powerlifting Championships will take place in Ardee on 23rd March, it has been announced. The competition will take place in the Ardee Parish Centre and is hosted by the Universal Powerlifting Gym and sponsored by NX Nutrition.Lifters will compete over the squat, bench press and the deadlift for the highest possible total of weight lifted over all three lifts. The competition will start at 10am and admission will be free for spectators.

“We're expecting a big crowd for the competition, it’s one of the real highlights of the year and there will be some great lifting on show” said Nigel McArdle of the Universal Powerlifting gym.

The competition is also a qualifying event for the World Drug Free Powerlifting Association (WDFPF) European Championships which will take place in Castleblayney Monaghan in April. The European Championships will see the best lifters from across Europe coming to Ireland to battle for the European title.

“It’s great to have the Ireland hosting the European championships this year, there should be a very strong Irish team present and the nationals will be a good test of form for the Irish lifters”, said Kenneth Taaffe IDFPA vice president.

For more information on the National championships and on the IDFPA please visit the IDFPA website www.idfpa.net or find the IDFPA on Facebook and Twitter.