Mum raises bar to realise her ambition

Wanganui mother of four and senior firefighter Tanja Grunwald is striking winning poses in the body building world after ticking it off her bucket list. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Wanganui mother of four and full time senior firefighter Tanja Grunwald has taken more than four decades building up the courage to tick one item off her bucket list.

However, after qualifying at her first body building championship in Wellington last weekend, she is ready to take on the very top company in the Physique over 40 Women's division at the National Bodybuilding Championships in Palmerston North on October 26.

"This is something I've thought about since my teens," Grunwald said yesterday.

"I've always been a sporty person and I still am. I play football for Wanganui Athletic, compete in sprint triathlons and I'm involved in other activities. I decided I'd finally tick body sculpting off my bucket list and entered the Wellington competition. I won and that qualified me for the nationals.

"I'd often looked at the posters and thought 'that's out of my league' - I am a mother of four," she said.

Born in Germany, Grunwald is a natural athlete, but is not that fond of dedicating her life to the gymnasium.

"I don't like limiting myself to one sporting discipline and that includes the gym. But for the past six months I've been doing a bit more with this aim in mind.

"I always said if I get up on stage I'd refuse to compromise my normal diet to compete. I'd rather run or swim more, than eat silly foods ... I'm not cramming in any silly stuff."

Grunwald said the cost of competing in body building surprised her and she would welcome any potential sponsor.

"The costs are surprisingly high for the sticky tanning stuff, the bikinis, the entry fees and travel costs, so if there's anyone out there who wants to sponsor a mum of four they're welcome to get in touch," she said.