An Irish woman has retained her crown as world axe-throwing champion after winning a competition in the UK.
Ceola McGowan, from Co Sligo, saw off competitors from around the world to win the World Double Bit Axe Throwing Championships at Thirsk in north Yorkshire.
“I’m honestly still in shock! This was one of the hardest competitions I’ve ever done,” Ms McGowan said.
“It’s not just because the weather conditions were gale force winds but the standard of axe throwing had just gotten so high,” she added.
Ms McGowan, who lives in Co Wicklow, first won the championship in 2022 when the biennial competition was held in Canada.
The 33-year-old along with team mates Oonagh McMorrow and Jenn Montrose also placed second in the women’s team event.
“I’m over the moon to have retained the title,” Ms McGowan said.
“But I must admit throwing alongside Oonagh McMorrow and Jen Montrose in the teams final really helped settle my nerves and to come way with a sliver medal for that – icing on the sweetest cake of all,” she added.
Ms McGowan threw her first axe in 2018 and was hooked from her first bullseye.
She trains with the Wicklow Axe Throwers where and feels there is a great sense of community within the sport.
Pole dancing is another sport that Ms McGowan has practised for a number of years that she said has helped her in axe throwing.
She credits her fitness and core strength to the pole dancing classes she takes in Bray.
Ms McGowan said she hoped her win would inspire more women to get involved in the sport of axe throwing.