A BODYBUILDER from Burnham has placed fourth in a UK bodybuilding championship following 16 weeks of intense training.

John Cornwell, 22, of Dunkirk Road, Burnham, came fourth out of 27 competitors at the UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Midlands Championship in the junior men’s physique category.

John, who works as an IT Manager, has been training with his partner Elizabeth West, 34, for several years, with intensified training for the competition beginning in February this year.

The show took place at Birmingham Town Hall on Sunday September 11, where John went up on stage to be judged along with other competitors. Since the beginning of his training, John has shed two stone of fat and gained a stone of muscle.

Elizabeth, who will be competing in the bikini fitness category next year, said it had been a “stressful” few months but the results are more than worthwhile.

She said: “John’s training has been gruelling and endearing for us but he came out with a fantastic result, to be in the top five meant so much for his first ever show.

“Since we met just over four years ago we’ve both been keen to train as I wanted to lose weight, and while we both want to compete in championships it was too stressful for us both to compete at the same time. It takes so much time and dedication to reach that level.”

Elizabeth had her second child in May last year, and since giving birth, she has lost an additional three stone of fat through training.

The couple eat six meals per day, and like to stick to locally sourced produce and keep away from protein shakes.

Elizabeth added: “We liked to eat as much local meat, eggs and other produce as possible, we like it that way, and we’re not overly keen on supplements like shakes some people have.

“I’m looking forward to it being my turn to compete next year. It’s tough and extremely hard, but it’s possible for anyone to do if you can commit. I hope our transformations can inspire anyone wanting to better themselves.”