A mum-of-two from Melton has won her second World’s Strongest Woman competition months after recovering from injury.
Andrea Thompson, 41, travelled to West Virginia, USA, at the end of 2023 to compete in three gruelling days of strength and lifting challenges in the masters category.
The category was open to athletes aged 40 and over.
The fitness trainer and Suffolk New College progress coach came away with a trophy and cash prize of £2,700 having won four of the six events.
Mrs Thompson said: “During one of the challenges I slipped on the floor with a 20kg pack on my back and was rolling around like an upside down beetle, but I managed to get back up and complete the task.
"Some of the events were very reliant on my biceps and I tore this part of my body last year as well as having a few other injury problems. So it was a relief more than anything to get through this and claim the victory.
“Long term, I’m taking it year by year but they have just introduced an over 50s category so who knows, I might have another ten years left in the sport.”
Mrs Thompson, who also holds two Guinness World Records, has now set her sights on the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio, USA, taking place next week.
Back in October she was crowned Britain's third strongest woman.
It was quite the comeback after suffering a serious injury at the Suffolk Show in June while trying to flip a tyre.
She heard a noise and had to have an operation for a torn bicep.
Craig Shimmon, from Suffolk New College, said: “What an amazing achievement by Andrea to gain this World Strongwoman title. We are all incredibly proud of her.”
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