A PERSONAL trainer and powerlifting champion is gearing up to take part in her next world championship.

Marina Cornwall, 70, who is the world, British and European powerlifting champion, is looking to defend her title in the World Masters Classic and Equipped Powerlifting Championships this week in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Marina, who is now in a new age category, said that she feels “a bit mixed” about the upcoming championships.

She said: “I’m a little bit anxious. I’m up against quite a strong New Zealand lady who I’ve never competed against before.

“On paper, she’s very strong. She hasn’t lifted on an international level for eight years, but she would have had to have competed recently to be on the list. On paper she looks extremely strong, she is in the same weight category as me.

“It will be interesting to see what happens. I hurt my hand not long ago, when I was doing a deadlift. I felt it in my wrist, and then a lump came up in my hand, and my friend who is an osteopath said he thought it might be fractured – I went to the walk-in centre and they said there was no fracture and no break which is good news but I’ve still got this little lump.

“Apart from that, I’m feeling positive. I would love to come away with four gold medals again, but I’m not sure what will happen. We’ll have to wait and see. The good thing is our totals will count for the Commonwealth as well, so we won’t have to lift twice.”

The championships will take place in Johannesburg from October 5 to October 12.