A NEWPORT bodybuilder and her strongman partner have added another achievement to their roster of awards.

Natalie Jackomis, 26, and Martin Jones, 29, both from Coedkernew, have won their first power-lifting competitions at the Welsh Strength Association’s Singles Lift Championships, held in Swansea earlier this month.

Ms Jackomis, who works as a statistics officer for Newport city council, came first in the squat and Mr Jones performed all three lifts - the squat, bench and deadlift.

Ms Jackomis said power-lifting is a new concept for the pair because she normally focuses on bodybuilding and her partner on strongman contests.

In May she won the best-trained figure at the Welsh National Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, and later came fifth in the British competition.

She is 5 feet 8 inches tall and currently weighs 11 and a half stone, but slims down to 10 stone when she is competing.

"As I get closer to a competition it gets more intense as I have to get my condition right to be on stage. In the days before I compete I'll be doing cardio exercise three times a day and living on zero carbs," she said.

Ms Jackomis began bodybuilding three years ago and said she was attracted by the appeal of being able to change her body. Her look changes dramatically between when she is preparing for competitions and off-season when she is not competing.

Mr Jones, who works as an electrical advisor for Cardiff city council, holds several strongman titles, including 105kg strongest man in Wales, England and Wales and the UK. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 19 stone.

Mr Jones hopes to qualify for Britain’s Strongest Man next year and is currently looking for a sponsor.

The pair both train at Peak Physique Gym, in Cardiff.