Logan Fallon is following in the footsteps of our National and International sporting ambassadors. The talented young man recently won his first international powerlifting competition, the European Championships. It was only his fourth competition overall. He has also qualified for the World Championships in Manchester this September.
Logan, son of Dale Fallon from Hymany Park, has lived in the town all his life. His mother sadly died nine years ago. He has four siblings, two older brothers and two younger sisters. He is currently attending Clonfert College and will go into fifth year in September.
Powerlifting and weightlifting, and as Logan explains, are two different sports. “Powerlifting consists of the squat, bench press and deadlift, while Olympic weightlifting consists of the snatch and the clean and jerk. In both sports, competitors have three attempts at each lift to achieve their best result,” Logan says.
He was first encouraged to try powerlifting by Tristan McDonagh at Coral Leisure. “He became my first coach and is now my training partner,” Logan says. He then entered the Ballinasloe Novice Powerlifting Meet at Coral Leisure. “And I loved every moment of it,” Logan adds. “The competition pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of and gave me the motivation to keep improving. I later signed up for the Irish Powerlifting Organisation (IPO) National Championships, where I began working with my current coach, Sharon Williamson, the gym manager at Coral Leisure and strongwoman. Her guidance has helped me achieve everything I have accomplished so far.” He placed second at the IPO National Championships, the result which qualified him for the European Championships.
Logan was delighted to win the 16-17 U75kg European Championship title. He says that winning: “meant far more than just earning a title. It showed me that all the hard work, training and dedication had paid off. For me, it was only the beginning.”
He was also excited to qualify for the Amateur World Powerlifting Congress for the first time and is thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Ireland on the world stage. “My aim is not only to compete well but to improve on my previous performances, make the people who have supported me proud, and inspire others to follow their own passions.”
Logan’s father Dale is proud of his success. “Watching Logan over the last two-three years progress in his journey in powerlifting and fitness has been great. And watching him bring home a European powerlifting title was just unreal. Logan has had a hard start to life, losing his mother at a very young age…but the change I’ve seen in him over the past few years…he’s a lot more confident and outgoing and his dedication to it is unbelievable… Whatever happens in Manchester, I just want you to know, son, you’re a champ in my eyes.”
Logan is also looking beyond the Manchester competition to the future. “I want to defend my titles, break IPO National records and continue developing as a lifter. In the future, I would also like to coach or guide others who want to improve themselves or compete in powerlifting.” Post-school, he’s considering a career in either the fitness industry or the Defence Forces.
