Powerlifters Paul Newell, Lee Steggles and Bill West are in buoyant mood. 04/11/04SALISBURY'S trio of worldbeaters have flown to Atlanta, Georgia, for the World Powerlifting Championships with high hopes of picking up some weighty honours.

Legends of the sport Bill West and Lee Steggles are on course to retain the world crowns they won last year in Vienna after enjoying a near-perfect run-up to the event.

Lee, who became a grandmother this year at the age of 42, is bubbling with energy and confidence ahead of her title defence.

She said: "I feel as though everything I have worked towards is kicking in at the right time.

"I will be looking for a few records.

"I certainly feel as though I am on record-breaking form."

"In fact, all three of us are in good shape.

"Bill has been doing weights in the gym that I haven't seen him lift since 1992," she added.

Atlanta will be extra special for West, who, at 58, has revealed he will be competing on the world stage for the last time after a career spanning more than three decades, which has seen him crowned champion of the world some 13 times.

"I don't like to look ahead to the competition too much," he said.

"But I will be making sure I savour every moment in Atlanta because it will definitely be my last world championship."

West, perhaps Salisbury's most famous sporting son, added: "I have really enjoyed the build-up this time around.

"I think that knowing it is the last time has made me put in that little bit more effort in training and get a little bit more out of it. It would be very special for me to go out on a high."

Meanwhile, relative newcomer Paul Newell, who burst onto the international scene in 2003, scooping silver in his debut appearance at a world championship, is out to prove that his success was no mere flash in the pan and consolidate his standing as a major force in world powerlifting.

The 27-year-old said: "Every-thing is going to plan so far.

"I am lifting heavier weights than ever before and I have been trying out a few new training techniques that seem to be paying off.

"I am after personal bests in Atlanta."

For all their confidence the three training partners know they have a tough task ahead of them across the Atlantic.

Each expects that the fact that the championships are being staged in the US will attract increased numbers of entries from American and Canadian powerlifters.

Steggles faces two unknown Americans in her class, but is expecting her main competition to come from a more familiar source.

She said: "My biggest rival is a girl from Belgium who beat me in the Europeans three years ago.

"It could be a very close competition.

"But I will try to go there and meet my own targets, rather than worry about what other people are doing."

Championship timetables have already smiled on the tight-knit trio, who regularly act as coaches and mentors for each other in their day-to-day training.

Lee explained: "We are all competing on different days, so we will be able to be there to support the others without worrying about our own lifts.

"Whatever happens, we will definitely be cheering each other on all the way."