City powerlifter chasing McKenna's gold

Tony McKenna, right, with trainer Scott Parsons.

Latecomer to powerlifting, Tony McKenna, is carting his 83kg frame off to Florida to stake his claim in the Masters' world championships this month.

The 61-year-old finance sector worker is showing great form at the right time and his trainer and mentor Scott Parsons, of Kudos Health and Fitness, feels the time may be ripe for success.

Weighing little more than 75kg this time last year, Tony has bulked up to scale 83kg and is happy to be building muscle mass through diet and exercise.

Already a New Zealand age group champion, Tony set a raft of records at last month's New Zealand nationals. He holds 14 national records in Olympic and powerlifting categories.

At the World Master's Powerlifting Champs he will be targeting bench press weights of about 140kg and squat and deadlift marks of 210-215kg.

He is training for an hour and a half four times a week.

Trainer Scott Parsons says Tony is an amazing talent for his age.

"He is testimony to what can be achieved through dedication and developing core strength.

"Tony had dodgy hips six years ago and at one stage he was considering a hip replacement.

"Now he has exceptional strength and mobility."

Tony says he was attracted to the sport when he saw coverage of Scott-trained masters powerlifter Debbie Turner, 59, who has had great success at the world champs.