Eire agus Calisthenics

Welcome to the Éire agus Calisthenics Podcast! This episode we are chatting with Edgars Jankovskis, a multi-discipline calisthenics athlete! Edgars is one of the few athletes to represent Ireland in multiple categories, and has placed second in the world in International Streetlifting Federation World Chammpions (2025). He has also represented Ireland in Power at the WSWCF World Championships, and was part of the 3 Nations Team Ireland. He also started in freestyle and eventually moved in to these different disciplines. Edgars family are originally from Latvia, and it was fascinating to discuss his background and insights to how sport acted as a way of inclusion, and his connection to both countries.Have a listen and enjoy!

Welcome to the Éire agus Calisthenics Podcast! This episode we welcome Husam Alhanon - better known as Sam - to the pod! Sam is the founder of Cali-X Studios in Belfast, which opened in 2014. This episode discussed how Sam began Calisthenics and his history with the sport. We talked about Sam initially moving to Belfast, what that transition was like, and how sport served as a space that enabled him to become part of the area and gave him a sense of belonging and identity. We also discuss his experiences with competition and what representing Ireland meant to him. Great chat, big thanks to Sam for bringing us to his facility, and only big things still to come from him in the sport. 

Welcome to Éire agus Calisthenics! In episode three we sat down with Ireland's First Female Power Champion! Nikki was also the first Irish Athlete to place top three in the world in endurance - two unbelievable achievements that set her as a trailblazer for female participation in the sport.In this interview we discussed her experiences with competitions, how she first came across the sport and the mental capacity it takes to compete and perform. We also discussed her role as a female ambassador for the sport, and how this can influence future generations. Jamie also tries to draw comparisons to Máire Ní Chinnéide (founder of camogie) and discuss the potential legacy Nikki can have on calisthenics for young women in Ireland. 

Delighted to welcome our first guest Eric Cunneen to the pod! Eric is Ireland's first World Champion in endurance, and in this episode we chatted through that experience, his connection to Irish identity and how this influenced his participation in sport.Eric also discussed the difference the team environment made when he won the world championship in comparison to his first year in the finals. Great insight from him about his experiences - have a listen and enjoy! 

Welcome to the Éire agus Calisthenics Podcast! This series is about showcasing the Irish Calisthenics Community, our Irish Sporting Identity and highlighting where both connect! In episode 1 hosts Jamie and Luke discuss Ireland's sporting history, the connection with National Identity and how sport has shaped our culture. Exploring how our past has impacted our participation in sport to this day, from playing styles to sport choices. Over the series we will be meeting high-profile figures within the Irish Calisthenics Community and exploring their own connection to Irish identity and how this impacted their own participation in sport! If you want to learn more about the Tailteann Games (Ireland's Olympics), the formation of the GAA and 'the ban' on foreign games, this is the place to be! Check out episode 1 and we look forward to you joining us throughout the series!