Powerlifter returns to world championship podium

A woman has returned to the world championship podium for powerlifting, eight years after winning a gold medal in the sport.

Aneela Rose, from Burgess Hill, secured silver at the championships after failing to qualify five months earlier.

At a qualifier in Eastbourne, she lifted 242kg, 10kg more than was needed to reach the championships, before lifting 247.5kg to win silver.

The mother of two told BBC Radio Sussex: "I started by accident after the London 2012 Olympics, I started throwing the javelin but kept getting injured. I was told to strengthen up but my PT told me I was freakishly strong."

Inspired by Tessa Sanderson and Fatima Whitbread, she said javelin had been her first sporting love before she switched her focus to weightlifting.

Rose first competed in powerlifting in 2016 but said "something changed" when she turned 50.

Now going through the menopause, she said continuing to compete had altered the way she thought about getting older.

The busy mum and business owner said "I'm super organiser and manage it - if you want something enough, you do it."

She trains four to five times a week and places a strong emphasis on diet and sleep.

She added: "I cried when I failed to qualify the first time round, I was inconsolable.

"I think it was an off day.

"I considered giving up but on the way home, my brain flipped.

"The second qualifier went well and I was beyond thrilled after I finished second at the Worlds."

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