Local Athlete Powers Her Way to World Championship Success

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council celebrated local athlete Karen Burns recent success in the International Powerlifting Federation World Masters Championships held in Canada during October in a small ceremony held in the Bridge Centre, Killyleagh on Monday 21 November 2022.

The event was to recognise Karen’s incredible achievements on the world powerlifting stage as she competed with contestants from over 30 other countries in a series of lifts in the squat, bench press and deadlift at the World Masters Championships. Powering her way through the competition to win three medals in total, two silvers and a bronze. The bronze medal was awarded for her efforts in the squat and silver for her success in deadlifts.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “I want to congratulate you on your outstanding performance at the recent International Powerlifting Federation World Masters Championships. Your talent, commitment and the passion that you demonstrate for the sport of powerlifting is exceptional. You should be incredibly proud of your achievements and the positive inspiration that you are to other athletes across the district.”

Entering the sport only six years ago, Karen has enjoyed success at a National and International level, acknowledging that she could not have achieved this without the support of her family and her coach, Aaron Kelly from Unified Fitness. Her ambition now is to continue her training programme to be selected for the European Championships which will be held in Budapest in March 2023.