Meet the UK's strongest woman (From Gazette & Herald)

Meet the UK's strongest woman

A NORTH Yorkshire weight trainer with only six months' experience has been crowned as the United Kingdom's strongest woman.

Gemma Taylor, 20, lifted, ran and pulled her way through a string of gruelling challenges to claim victory in Northern Ireland.

The professional singer from Thirsk, who only began training in an attempt to control her weight, said she was "absolutely delighted" with the result.

She said: "I just cannot believe it. I've only been training for six months, but I've got a fantastic trainer who has prepared me mentally as well as physically."

In the competition, she pulled a 7.5 tonne truck, ran 50 metres carrying 65kg (10.2 stone) weights in each hand, lifted a 65kg weight above her head as many times as she could and flipped a 230kg (36.2 stone) tyre ten times.

Tutor Paul Stephenson, who trains with Gemma at the Atlanta Gym, Clifton Moor, York, said she had "enormous potential" for future events.

Updated: 10:56 Wednesday, June 30, 2004