Cheryl's the world's top body builder again!

3:29pm Tuesday 18th November 2008

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World Natural Professional Bodybuilding champion Cheryl Myers has retained her title for the third year.

Cheryl, who lives in Sutton, clinched her hat-trick in New York and became only the third woman to win three championships in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation's 20-year history.

This time, she competed against 10 other women in the heavyweight class, with some making the journey from as far afield as Canada and New Zealand.

Cheryl said: “It was the toughest line-up in which I have ever competed in terms of quality. However, I had made good progress in my training, and hit the stage in my best ever shape. Even so, waiting for the final placings to be announced was extremely nerve-racking.

“I am, to quote a cliché, still over the moon about my win - I am the first and only British woman to win the Professional Worlds, having also won the amateur Worlds in 1999. To win once felt incredible, but to retain my title not just once, but twice - well, there aren't words.”

The WNBF operates a strict drug-testing policy - all competitors are polygraphed and have to give a urine sample before being allowed on-stage. It tests not only for steroids, but also for artificially high levels of certain hormones, stimulants and diuretics.

Cheryl had decided to take 2009 off from competition, but is planning to return in 2010. “I will still be training hard at Westy's gym, Barnoldswick, in order to keep at least one stepahead of my opposition. There is no room for slacking in this sport,” said Cheryl.