Whangarei woman Katrina Hall is hoping to muscle in on the big prizes at the 2009 world bodybuilding championships next month in Spain.
Hall, who's day job is knocking naughty sailors heads together as a naval policewoman at Devonport Naval Base, will compete in the open (tall) division in the figure
category.
She qualified to represent New Zealand at the event when she was named Ms New Zealand figure bodybuilding champion at Auckland last year.
Hall has spent a lot of time building towards this competition after first qualifying for the world championships at the 2007 nationals in Christchurch.
"I was selected for the New Zealand team to go to the universe championships in Spain that year, but I turned it down as I knew I could compete in better condition ... third place in my books was not acceptable," she said.
From that point onwards she became immersed in winning the 2008 nationals and qualifying, once again, to compete at the world championships.
"From there I concentrated on building muscle, with even more focus on nutrition and training," she said.
By eating six times a day, doing cardio and weight training sessions six times a week, Hall began to gain ground on her fellow competitors and eventually was crowned national champion.
Hall was was born and bred in Darwin, Australia before moving to Whangarei when she was 16 and attending Whangarei Girls High School.
She joined the Navy in 1996 because she was interested in being a mechanic.
She started out as a marine engineer but changed to become a marine technician in 1998 before successfully applying to become a naval policewoman this year.
Hall said there is a lot of ignorance and negativity that surrounds her sport.
"The sport of bodybuilding is a lifestyle. It not only helps with promoting health and strength but you have to search deep within yourself, as it is mentally tough as well as physically tough, to achieve the goals you set," she said.
"It did not happen overnight, nor did I take a magic pill or deprive myself of good food to get there ... it came down to focus, dedication, commitment, discipline, organisation and a valuable support system."
The world championships start on June 19.
