MASTERTON power lifter Brett Gibbs is "frustrated but happy" with the news he is about to be crowned world power lifting champion in the open 83kg division.
Gibbs initially placed second behind Ecuador's Jose Castillo for the overall title at Salo in Finland in June with a combined total of 770kg but has been advised by the world body of his promotion to the gold medal position through the disqualification of Castillo, who has failed a second drug test.
"Obviously it's nice to win but it's frustrating to have to wait so long to find out. It's still hard not to think you came second," Gibbs said.
"It's not quite the same as winning on the day."
The Castillo disqualification will also mean Gibbs is promoted from second to first in the squat (270kg) and from third to second in the dead lift (302.5kg).
He was first in the bench press with a best lift of 202.5kg.
Gibbs' next big assignment comes at an expo in Perth in September and as he is now fully recovered from the effects of a quad muscle injury which troubled him at the worlds he is hopeful of recording a combined total in excess of 780kg.
"The training is going extra well. If everything clicks we could produce something special."