Tributes have poured in after the tragic loss of the ‘Limerick Lion’, an Irish bodybuilder described by fellow strongman Eddie Hall as ‘one of the funniest characters the world was ever blessed with’
Pa O’Dwyer, a giant in UK strongman contests, has died at the age of 41, winning heartfelt tributes from fellow competitors who praised his warm character and sense of humour, as well as the raw power that won him Ireland’s Strongest Man title a record five times.
After growing up working on a farm in Rathkeale, the “Limerick Lion” worked on the roads through his early twenties before turning to weight training. He established himself as one of Europe’s top strongmen and won the UK’s Strongest Man competition in 2018.
Retired strongman Eddie Hall described him in an Instagram post as: “A true strongman, an even better human, and one of the funniest characters the world was ever blessed with.”
Eddie Hall, who won the World’s Strongest Man in 2017 along with several national contests, said he was “absolutely devastated” to hear of Pa O’Dwyer’s passing. “Pa brought strength, laughter and warmth wherever he went,” he wrote.
“He genuinely was one of life’s biggest characters and everyone who ever met him would have a story to tell I’m sure. UK’s & Irelands strongest man was one of many titles he held but his most important and his most proud title was ‘Dad’.
“Pa leaves behind 3 beautiful children, Sienna, Rocco and Freddy and partner Layna, who he loved more than life itself he would always say.” Eddie also shared a link for a GoFundMe campaign for Pa’s memorial and to help his family.
Online tributes shared shock at the strongman’s sudden death, praising him as “such a funny likeable man” who had only recently shared a reel of himself playing with Lego with his son. A post on Reddit read: “This legitimately makes me so sad.
“He was such an incredibly kind and empathetic human. I cannot fathom this.”
Another commented: “He seemed such a gent And a true great of Irish sport.”
Pa rose through the ranks of the professional circuit, becoming a regular competitor on the Giants Live tour and qualifying for the World’s Strongest Man contest in 2020. He is also remembered for entertaining fans on social media and television with his warm personality.
The Irish Strength Association issued a statement describing him as “a legend in strength sports in Ireland”. Giants Live, the primary qualifying tour for the World’s Strongest Man, said: “Pa brought strength, laughter, and warmth wherever he went.
He truly was one of life’s larger-than-life personalities, and anyone who met him will surely have a story to tell.”
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