Gemma puts '˜special strength' to the test

Gemma Ferguson, 32, an Openreach field engineer finished second after leading the field for most of the competition.

She is due to compete in the national competition on August 11 in Derby.

Gemma said: “My family knew from an early age that I had a special strength.

“I would collect firewood from the wood next to my nan’s house and return with a huge bough.

“She would be astonished at what I would carry.”

Gemma came second in her first contest in Worthing in the over 90kg category.

“This was before she embarked on a proper training programme with the right equipment.

“We don’t have proper strongwoman equipment at my gym in Burgess Hill,” added Gemma.

“So I was making do with what we had, like giant garden stones.”

Another second place at Sussex Strongwoman followed. Since then, she says she has been hooked.

She trains five times a week, including weekends with her dog Murphy who she has taken part in a half marathon with.

She added: “The sport is a lot to do with technique and training the muscle groups.

“I would definitely recommend it to other women.

“My colleagues now joke that if they need help lifting heavy objects, they would come to me.”

Gemma is now preparing to take part in a pre-qualifier for the Arnold Strongwoman event – held in America – in Birmingham in May.

“I will be representing my gym Alpha Training in Burgess Hill the whole way.”

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