A student has reached the pinnacle of his sport after being selected to represent his country at the highest level.
Andrew Richardson will represent Ireland at the World Powerlifting Championships in Texas, USA, later this year.
But the strongman is seeking sponsorship in order to make his dream a reality.
Andrew, originally from Coleraine in Northern Ireland, is in the final year of a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise (Applied Sports Science) at Teesside University. He started powerlifting after his ambitions to become a professional rugby player were cut short by injury – “the best injury I’ve ever had,” he said.
Andrew, 21, has already competed at international level in younger age categories, but is now one of 20 Irish powerlifters selected to represent their country at the World Championships.
The International Powerlifting Federation will hear from the International Olympic Committee at the end of the year to see if powerlifting will become an Olympic Sport.
But, at the moment, there is little funding and Andrew is struggling to fund the competition alone.
“It is a great honour to be selected and it will be the highest level I’ve ever competed at,” he said.
“I’m working as hard as I can to fund the trip, but it is difficult with all the training, as well as my studies.
“It would be great if there are any companies out there who could help me and, in exchange, we’d be able to put their logos and branding on the individual Irish kit.”
The World Powerlifting Championships take place at the end of June and, as well as being a member of the Irish team, Andrew is also a coach.
He added: “It was only because I suffered an injury playing rugby that I decided to give powerlifting a go. I discovered I was good at it and from that moment on I haven’t looked back.
“It is a great sport which has given me so much and I just hope to be able to compete in June.”
If you are interested in sponsoring Andrew and the Irish Powerlifting Team, you can email himarichie@hotmail.co.uk.