A HAMPSHIRE woman has achieved gold at the World Powerlifting Championships in Mongolia.

Personal trainer Marina Cornwall, 69, took home four gold medals from the championships following her attempt on Sunday, October 8. The championship was one of the first events that she has taken part in since she took a break from the sport in 2018.

Marina said: “I feel absolutely over the moon.

Hampshire Chronicle: Marina with her gold medalsMarina with her gold medals (Image: Winchester Leisure Centre)“I had slightly tweaked my back six weeks ago and I was worried whether I would be able to compete at all, but I persevered and am thrilled I managed to win gold not once, but four times!

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“The team at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park have been fantastic. I set up a GoFundMe page to enable friends and family to donate so I could afford to travel to the championships, and the management team put posters up everywhere in the centre to invite others to donate which helped me raise over £1500 for my sponsorship.

“This experience has reminded me that anything is possible with support and belief in yourself. Even if you are nervous, never feel fearful of having a go at any sport which you may be passionate about as you’re truly never too old to take up a new fitness goal and you might surprise yourself at how far you’ll go!”

Hampshire Chronicle: Marina on the winners podiumMarina on the winners podium (Image: Winchester Leisure Centre)Marina’s victory comes as Everyone Active, which runs Winchester Sport and Leisure Centre where she trains, launches its Age is Just a Number campaign to get people older than 60 more physically and mentally active.

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Alison Lewis, Everyone Active’s Area Contract Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Marina and would like to congratulate her on this fantastic achievement.

“The Age is Just a Number campaign highlights the importance of maintaining physical activity and keeping socially active, and Marina is a perfect example of how you can reach your fitness targets at any age.”

Winchester City Council’s cabinet member for community and engagement Cllr Kathleen Becker added: “Marina's story and her recent success exemplifies the fact that age is only a label, not a limitation. Her passion and determination challenge our conceptions about age, and act as an inspiring reminder of what's possible. We send our congratulations to her on her incredible achievements!”