THE FIRST leg of a two-pronged assault by Basingstoke powerlifters, who are trying to remain top of the tree, has seen Jean Maton retain her world masters title.

The 40-year-old local government worker, from South Ham, repeated her success of last year when she won the 82.5kg class in Canada.

This time, the current Gazette Sportswoman of the Year defied the hot and humid conditions in Udaipur, India, to lift a total of 442kg. This was slightly down on previous competitions - a fact Maton attributes to a small loss in bodyweight.

In addition to the overall masters one class championship, she collected gold medals in each of the three competition disciplines.

She managed a squat of 160kg, a bench press of 107.5kg and a deadlift of 175kg.

Her efforts, along with the achievements of two other team members, helped Great Britain to third place in the overall team competition.

Maton, who has moved her training base to the Queen Mary's College gym along with other members of Basingstoke Powerlifting Club, said: "The weight loss mainly happened in India. I had a few stomach cramps but wasn't ill, but others around me were suffering a bit.

"I was trying to be cautious with food and drink, but it was also very hot out there which did not help."

The new world crown follows a string of major championship successes.

Most recent was the British bench press title, which she added to the silver medal at the inaugural Western European Cup in Norway and the European masters gold, which she won in the Czech Republic in July.

The victory came only weeks after a motorcycle crash in France in which her right leg was injured. This forced her to miss this year's British senior championships.

She said: "The bike spill did not seem to affect my leg while I lifted in India, but the disruption to training might have had a bearing on it.

"Also, I had to adjust my training because of the changing over of gyms as QMC was still being fitted out."

Maton added: "I would like to thank Hampshire County Council and UNISON for helping towards sponsorship. I would also like to thank Doug Williams of Stageit by Premier for nutritional sponsorship."

Maton is hoping to be selected for the forthcoming senior European women's championships, which are to be held in Slovakia at the end of November.

Meanwhile, a sponsor has come to the aid of Maton's clubmate Pete Bedford as he bids for a third successive world title next month.

The 39-year-old will be competing in Atlanta thanks to a promise of help from a fellow parent at a Chineham junior school.

Venetia Rowland, director of Bramley-based Right On The Line, will be covering Bedford's expenses for the five-day trip.

Bedford has won three British under-67.5kg titles in a row and wants to gain a similar world championship hat-trick.

"I'm hoping to make it three in a row," said the local star.

Mrs Rowland, whose company helps firms with marketing and product choice, said: "We know Pete as our children go to the same school.

"Earlier this year, he mentioned to us at the school door that he had the opportunity to go to America but said it was a bit expensive and he didn't have a sponsor as such. So we thought it would be good to sponsor him to attend.

"We are a small local company and have tried to contribute to school events and the like. This seemed a good thing to do to help someone who is good at what he does."