McConville determined to conquer the world
Published:
WEIGHTLIFTER Jean McConville has her sights on becoming a world record-holder after winning the world masters weightlifting championship at the weekend.
The 53-year-old helped Scotland win one gold, two silver medals and a bronze in the tournament which was held in Kefalonia in Greece.
McConville, from Drumlithie, near Stonehaven, is a midwife at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and hopes to defend her title next year.
She is also bidding for further success in 2010 when she becomes eligible for the older age group of 55 to 59.
She said: “I don’t think it’s getting harder with age and, if anything, the desire to succeed grows even stronger.
“I’m going to Russia in May next year, but the world championships in Poland in 2010 are my long-term goal now and will keep me focused.
“I’m training three times a week, one week in Aberdeen and the other in Glasgow with my coach and I really want to go for the world record in 2010.”
McConville, who took up weighlifting after suffering from Crohn’s disease at the age of 21, praised her coach John McNiven for keeping her in competitive shape.
“I added 16 kilos to my personal best in the snatch and the clean and jerk events in Greece which is very encouraging and I’ve no plans on calling it a day just yet.”
