Most people think of retirement when they reach the age of 60.But not Fakenham powerlifter Ian Tudor, who having reached that age last October has been working to get back to the top of his sport after being side-lined with injury for the best part of three years.

Most people think of retirement when they reach the age of 60.

But not Fakenham powerlifter Ian Tudor, who having reached that age last October has been working to get back to the top of his sport after being side-lined with injury for the best part of three years.

Tudor, with eight world titles and 20 world records in either the single-lift bench press event or the all-round event of squat, bench press and dead lift under his belt, is relishing this latest challenge, writes Peter Bird.

He wants to put his name into the record book as the best there is in the over 60s Masters Five category of the sport. Specialist treatment having finally sorted his shoulder injury, he begins his campaign this weekend at the British championships at Bradford University when he attempts to win yet another national bench press title.

He is the holder of at least 30 British titles, but winning at Bradford will do is qualify him for the world championships, also to be held in Bradford in September.

“Power lifting is a sport with very little financial backing so the chance to go for another world title without having to travel halfway round the world is an opportunity not to be missed,” he said.

Some of Tudor's costs involved in reaching the top in his sport are offset by sponsorship by Fakenham firm Lewis Concrete.

He has competed in the United States and several European countries. Fakenham Power Lifting Club was formed in the early 1980s.

Tudor opened his own gym in Nelson Street, Fakenham, some years ago.

But the biggest change for Tudor was meeting John Fulton.

That partnership led both men to subsequently win world titles and set world records.

Fulton, now aged 82, is still active in the sport.