CATSHILL powerlifter Kelly Phasey is heading off to the World Classic Powerlifting Championships this month.

The 40-year-old working mum of two and mature student has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Masters 1 84+ kg weight category after being crowned British Masters Classic Champion M1 84+ kg for the second year running.

Her chances of success in Minsk, Belarus, have been boosted thanks to the support of local powered access hire company GTAccess.

Phasey said: "It’s only with the support from companies such as GTAccess that enables me to compete at the World Championships, there support allows me to focus on my training and mental preparedness rather than having to worry about how I’m going to fund it."

The sponsorship that GTAccess are providing will help to cover the travel and hotel costs of the self-funded British athlete.

Steve Moody, national sales manager for GTA, said: “GTAccess are delighted to be helping to 'lift Kelly to new heights’ by enabling her to attend the World Classic Powerlifting Championships through a sponsorship program. As a British company with our head office in Bromsgrove we’re really happy to be supporting a local British athlete as she takes on some of the best powerlifters in the world.”

Phasey has had the honour of representing Great Britain in places such as Chemnitz, Pilsen, Texas, Orlando and La Manga.

She made the transition from playing premiership league rugby union for Worcester Ladies to powerlifting four years ago and has gone from strength to strength. Whilst powerlifting, she has won a gold medal in the Western European Championships in 2015, alongside several British titles including British Bench, British Equipped Powerlifting Champion x2 and Masters Classic British Champion. As well as setting 13 British Records in Squat, Bench Press and Total.