A mother-of-two from Melton has become the third strongest woman on the planet after putting in a powerhouse performance at the World Strongwoman finals in America.
Andrea Thompson, 34, took part in The Arnold Amateur World Strongwoman Championships in Ohio having come second in the European Championships in December and topping the table at the British Championships in August.
Andrea, who competed in the heavyweight category, says it was a tense experience taking on the very best in the world.
“It was on the main stage area in front of thousands of people,” she said.
“It was so nerve-wracking.
“I felt sick with pre-competition nerves and my heart was pumping really fast. I had to just put my headphones on and pace back and forth backstage.
“Once you are on stage you don’t hear anything, you have tunnel vision. You are concentrating so hard you don’t hear the crowds.”
The competition took place over two days - heats and a final with a day’s rest in between.
In the dramatic final, Andrea was pushed to her limits with events including the Atlas Stones, where she had to lift five steel balls each weighing 92kg on to 4ft platforms, and a medley event where she had to pick up and walk a 100kg keg, and carry out a 100kg farmers walk and a 150kg duck walk - both seven metres long.
The competition was made all the more difficult as those taking part were only told which events were taking place four days before the start.
Andrea, who lives with her husband Stephen and two daughters Olivia , eight, and Violet, five, said it was an emotional moment when she learned she had placed in the top three.
“There were 15 women who took part in my weight category, as its the heavyweight it’s the one everyone has their eyes on,” she said.
“I was very excited when I found out I had come third, I actually came off stage and cried.
“I had worked so hard to get to that stage and it had then been put into practice.
“It was a very emotional moment, but it was great.”
The result means Andrea receives her Pro card making her a professional in the sport, as well as qualifying her for an event in Las Vegas later in the year.
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