A PRIMARY school teacher will compete in a weightlifting contest after deciding to get fitter four years ago.

Jaine Alderson, 52, from Epping, will travel to Sweden in August to challenge herself against the best in the European and International Masters Weightlifting Championships.

The Snaresbrook Preparatory teacher said: “I started cross-fit at Concept fitness in Epping in 2013. The idea was just to lose weight and get fit. I’d never done any proper lifting prior to then.

“In September 2014, my coach Keir Williams of in Epping decided to run an intro into weightlifting course.

“After several months of training I found it so difficult and remember Keir saying to me that one day I would be on a platform competing. I laughed out loud because it sounded so absurd.”

It hasn’t always been straightforward for Jaine, who had to miss out on the European Championships in 2016 after she injured a tendon while on holiday in the Canary Islands and had to have surgery.

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Jaine only began weightlifting four years ago

She said: “I had flights and travel all booked to compete at the European Championships in Azerbaijan in May 2016, but after several consultations with my surgeon, I decided to have surgery that month. I was told it would be at least nine months until I would be back to full strength.

“I was devastated. My life suddenly felt empty - surgery was horrible and the pain after was immense.“

Jaine is now 100 per cent fit, and will compete in the British Masters Weightlifting Championship in Lilleshall on March 11, before travelling to Sweden.

“As soon as the British comp is over, training will continue and my sights will be on Sweden. It feels fantastic to be lifting at this level.

“Some days I do struggle and ache, but with the support of my family and my coach I’ve made it this far.”