Natural wonder in chance of a lifetime

1 to 1 Fitness tutor Sheryl Summers has been selected for the international Natural Body Building champs in San Diego. Photo / Warren Buckland

After 20 years on the New Zealand body building circuit, Sheryl Summers has been selected to compete at the international Natural Olympia Championships in San Diego.

It's the first time she has been picked for the three-day event which requires all competitors to be drug tested and is open to people from throughout the world.

"To be selected at my age [57], I think it's an opportunity that's too good to miss," she said.

"I do natural competitions and the president and judges invited me through that. Of course, I need to raise money to travel there, but I have had some marvellous sponsors."

Mrs Summers will be part of a 10-strong team from New Zealand set to compete in various categories; her husband has also been given a "special invite" to compete with her in a mixed pairs section.

"I will be entered in the grand masters ages 50 to 59, my husband and I are going to do mixed pairs."

While she was in good shape after training for six months, there is no letting up on preparations for the international event.

"It's weight training five times a week, a little bit of walking and biking to keep the body fat down and stay lean ... the last week you tend to work quite hard, at the beginning of the you want to tire your muscles and cut back on carbs, the last few days you rest up and eat lots."

Mrs Summers started weight training after getting a stress fracture in her leg from "overuse".

"I began weight lifting by accident, but found that I really enjoyed it."

For the past 15 years she has also run support groups for body builders at 1 to 1 Fitness Studio in Napier, organising monthly meetings and group training sessions.

People who would like to donate money to get Mrs Summers to San Diego can do so by filling out a sponsorship form at 1 to 1 Fitness Studio or by emailing: fitnessplus.co.nz