Powerlifting newcomers on show (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Powerlifting newcomers on show

THE area's reputation for producing powerlifting greats will be put to the test again this weekend when two relative newcomers take centre stage.

Kim Rushe and Paul Newell will compete at the South East Championships at the Thames Valley Athletics Centre in Eton hoping to secure qualification for this summer's British Championships.

For 31-year-old Kim, the event represents her first competitive action since taking up the physically demanding popular sport just over a year ago.

Competing in the 67kg class, Kim is being coached by current women's world champion Lee Steggles.

"It's all brand new to her, so we'll just see how it goes," said Steggles, who smashed a number of records en route to lifting her latest world crown in Vienna in December.

Meanwhile, Paul Newell, a silver medallist in the Austrian capital in the 90kg class, will be dusting off a few cobwebs at Eton in readiness for a season he hopes will prove even more successful than last year's.

"I'm feeling good at the moment," said Newell who has surprised many with his rapid rise through the ranks.

"But I know it's going to be a lot tougher than last year.

"I've stayed in the same weight class, but there's now six or seven of us in Britain doing well in that category."

Newell (right), first came to prominence at last summer's British Championships in Bournemouth where his performance earned him a call-up to the British squad.

"It was a great year for me, but it all starts again now. I'll be happy just to qualify for the British at the moment."