TWO-TIME world champion powerlifter Jean Maton has earned a recall to the British senior team - even though she is an over-40 competitor.

Last weekend, the 41-year-old retained her British masters title in Birmingham. She had an outstanding day, achieving all nine of her attempted lifts to end up with a lifetime best total.

Last month, she won a silver medal at the British senior championships, a month after retaining her British bench-press title.

At the weekend, after a squat of 172.5kg, Maton (pictured) recorded a benchpress of 115kg and a deadlift of 182.5kg in the under-82.5kg class.

Her total of 470kg beat her previous best of 467.5kg set in winning the British masters title a year ago.

The local government worker's performances earned her selection to compete in the world senior women's championships, which are to be held at the end of May in Finland.

She said: "I managed to get selection for the world seniors in Finland because they are now taking a team of seven instead of the usual six and I've managed to get a look-in."

The competition in Finland is at Ylitornio from May 27 to 29, when Maton will again be making the trip thanks to her sponsors Lloyds TSB and Doug Williams of Stageit by Premier.

Maton's fellow Basingstoke Powerlifting Club members Pete Bedford and Rob Mackereth both lost their British single-lift titles at Brize Norton RAF camp recently.

Three-time world champion Bedford, The Gazette Sports Personality of the Year, was below his best in the under-67.5kg category. He achieved a benchpress of 130kg to finish second.

Another silver-medal finish was achieved by Mackereth in the under-125kg class, where he managed a benchpress of 182.5kg.

Both lifters will be aiming to bounce back at the full British senior championships at the same venue on the weekend of May 7 and 8, when they will be joined by other Basingstoke members Andy Bonner and George Stoneman, if the latter has regained full fitness.