A HUGE crowd is expected to descend on Wexford this weekend for the European Kettlebell Championships 2013.
Competitors from 12 countries (including 70 renowned Russian athletes) will compete to be named the world’s best in their discipline.
The opening ceremony will take place on Friday when students from the Gaelscoil will parade the flags of the 12 countries competing in the event.
210 participants in total will be competing in the event at St Joseph’s Club Community Centre, including 27 from Ireland. A civic reception hosted by Wexford Borough Council will take place at the HeritagePark on Friday night.
“It’s like the Eurovision, but hopefully we will come out with a better points tally,” joked Sandra Goodison, chairperson of the Irish Kettlebell Society.
There will be a number of categories for the female and male athletes of all ages to compete in and with 13 Wexford people in the mix, it is hoped the county can secure a medal at the event, although the sport is only in its infancy in Ireland yet.
Admission is €2 for adults and free for children. The money raised will go towards covering the Irish team’s trip to Siberia in November.
Ms. Goodison said watching some of the athletes at the championships will be like having Manchester United coming to Wexford.
“The guys that will come to Wexford to compete are like the Manchester United players of kettlebell lifting… we watch their technique on Youtube!”
She said: “It’s great for the town as well as we have 800 bed nights booked. There are people travelling from 15 different clubs around Ireland to watch their heroes.”
The president of the Irish Kettlebell Association is Wexford woman, Catherine Roche, while Mick Kelly is the coaching and development officer.
The fast growing sport has seen a surge in popularity in Wexford since fitness instructor Mick Kelly first started teaching classes at his Clonard-based fitness studio just over three years ago.