Hereford's Natalie Rouse a winner at Manchester's Strongest Woman competition (From Hereford Times)

Hereford's Natalie Rouse a winner at Manchester's Strongest Woman competition

4:34pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Sport

FITNESS instructor Natalie Rouse powered her way to third place in her first strongwoman competition, writes Ian Morgan.

Natalie, who is based in Hereford, also topped her weight class in Manchester’s Strongest Woman competition at the Sportexpo festival. The 29-year-old finished just one point behind runner-up Hayley Knowles.

Becki Etchells, Britain’s Strongest Woman, won the competition at EventCity.

“I turned 29 in October and I have decided that I want to do as many things as I can before I am 30,” said Halo gym instructor Natalie.

“I gave myself three weeks to train for the competition and I didn’t know what the events were before I arrived. “I didn’t tell many people I was doing it - only my friend Bev came along - because I was worried that I wouldn’t do well.”

Natalie impressed in all five of the competition’s disciplines, winning the 75kg con-rod carry before passing out.

Organiser Craig Mullineux said: “Natalie just looked at me and asked me how she was going to lift the con-rod from a ship.”

Natalie walked 206.50 metres and took first place before she fainted. She finished second to Etchells in both the farmer’s walk for distance and in a loading medley. Natalie did well in the maximum deadlift, eventually failing at 130kg.

Natalie said: “It was an amazing experience - I had a few bumps and bruises but none of the women got injured.

“I got really nervous about it but everyone involved on the day was lovely.”

Natalie, a mother-of-one, has previously taken part in women’s bodyfitness competitions.

She added: “I also saw the bodybuilding show and I think that’s where my heart lies.”