Paul O’Donoghue and Fintan McCarthy, Ireland’s first gold medalists at the Tokyo Olympics, won the men’s weightlifting doubles event with a landslide victory. It is Ireland’s first Olympic gold since 2012, 10th overall and first in rowing.

This medal is the first to win gold for Ireland since Katie Taylor’s victory in London 2012 boxing.

At the 1992 Barcelona Games, they became the first Irish men’s gold medalist after boxer Michael Carrut.

O’Donoghue (27) and McCarthy (24) overtook German pair Jonathan Rommelmann and Jason Osborne in the windy situation. Italy won bronze.

When you sleep

…#TeamIreland Got another medal! 🇮🇪🥇🇮🇪🥇🇮🇪

Rovers Paul O’Donoghue and Fintan McCarthy return to gold in the thrilling lightweight men’s doubles final at 6: 06.43 in.

Congratulations to the latest Olympic champions in Ireland! 🔥# Tokyo 2020 pic.twitter.com/f7zSnzFfmM

– Team Ireland (eTeamIreland) July 29, 2021

In an interview with RTE Sport, O’Donoghue said: “The race plan we had, we always did, and it seemed to work well for us. We know Italy and Germany are still strong, and you can believe it. Then they slow down a bit. Once we find them we know we are at a steady pace.

O’Donoghue, who won silver in the same event in Rio five years ago, has previously enjoyed Olympic success, this time in collaboration with his brother Gary. He has won four gold and two European gold medals at the World Championships.

McCarthy said, “It’s weird, I rested all day. Usually I get a little upset. I felt really ready […]. We always do what we can, and it worked. “

Another bronze medal for Ireland

Moments in time https://t.co/m2WS1mR3QE

– Team Ireland (eTeamIreland) July 28, 2021

The Irish women’s gold medalists in the 2020 Games, Ifrik Kyog, four, Efre Lambe, Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarti, overcame the England team on Wednesday. Ireland reached half the length of the British boat, and Australia won gold in front of the Netherlands throughout the race.

The quartet was the first Irish rover to win an Olympic medal.

Emir Lambe described Ireland’s victory as “amazing” […] It really means a lot. In Ireland rowing is really becoming a sport […]” ‘