Hero’s welcome for world powerlifting champion

Newly crowned world powerlifting champion, Tom Cusack from Ballyliddane in Sixmilebridge was accorded a hero’s welcome when he returned home on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old triumphed in the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Championships lifting 225kg in the 82.5kg deadlift category. Tom’s success in Chicago is all the more praiseworthy because of the fact that he is self-taught in the sport and doesn’t receive any professional coaching.
The strong man from Ballyliddane who runs Hillview Nurseries, won the European deadlift title last October in Malta lifting 220kg. He was accompanied to Mustagon near Lake Michigan, Chicago, by his sister, Margaret, and brother, John.
On his return home, he dedicated his success to his mother, Ita.
“She is my pride and joy and as far as I am concerned, she is the strongest woman in Ireland. She has been my training partner for 20 years and she is a wonderful woman,” he told the gathering.
Speaking after the welcome-home reception, Tom recalled that he was always interested in weightlifting since he was about four years old. “I was captivated by strength and looked at strong men on television. It started with the Incredible Hulk who was played by body-builder Lou Ferrigno. My dream started then and when I was about 10, I started to exercise to strengthen my arms. My strength comes from my mother Ita who is a tremendous woman.”
“When I was 17, I started doing powerlifting with Gerry O’Connell from Crusheen. Gerry was Ireland’s strongest man and was the first man in Ireland to lift over 48 stone.” Tom said before adding that last week’s success is his biggest success ever. “It’s all to do with the World Drug Free Association. Its a tremendous federation to be involved with.”
Tom is already planning for next year’s World tests which will be held in France. “That’s my target now, to retain this title. There will be a national competition early next year and I would hope to qualify from there,” he said.
Tom has his own gym where he trains. “I renovated the haybarn and I have installed all the equipment. I train there once or twice a week. That’s all I need as I work hard seven days a week at my garden centre. It takes a long time to get your full strength in powerlifting”, he said.
He added that he was overjoyed at the size of this turnout. “I never expected to see so many people here to welcome me. I can’t believe this. This is a tribute to my mother as that is where I got my strength from.
At Tom’s request, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of his late father Peter and also in memory of Peter Hayes from Bunratty.
Friends and supporters from Sixmilebridge and Cratloe turned out in big numbers as the new world champion was driven into Sixmilebridge by Councillor PJ Ryan in one of his vintage cars.
Welcoming the new World champion, Fr Liam Enright Cratloe, paid a warm tribute to the Sixmilebridge man before outlining that competitors from 14 other countries were up against Tom for this title. “Tom is a great encouragement to us all. When he is not working he is in the gym,” Fr Enright said
Mayor of Clare Christy Curtin  told the gathering, “this is an unique achievement and I am privileged to be here as a representative of the 32 members of Clare County council, the premier authority in this county, to give significance and to underline the achievement of a great Cratloe-Sixmilebridge man.
Councillors PJ Ryan and John Crowe both paid tribute to the new world champion before Tom’s sister Mary replied on behalf of the family thanking all who had helped in any way to making this such a proud day for his family. She also acknowledged the presence of Timmy Crowe, the National U-23 400m hurdles champion and winner of a silver medal at the European U-23 4 x 400 relay in Turkey last week.