Kendal bodybuilder Helen Thwaites wins the British National Bodybuilding finals

BODYBUILDER: Helen pictured at the Mike Williams Classic last month

The multi-time champion bodybuilder and former gymnast won her qualifier in the Mike Classic last month and came first in the competition held at the Middleton Arena on October 9.

This is the third year Helen has won the Miss Trained Figure category, having previous won in 2018 and 2019.

She described it as being ‘like a dream’.

Helen said: “It hasn’t all sunk in yet. It’s like all my birthdays and Christmases have come at once.

“The Miss Trained Figure category is the one I go for and I was against the other area qualifiers who had won their competitions.

COMPETITION: Helen wins the Miss Trained Figure category

“We had to go through three stages so you had to be in the best shape you could be in. The row of judges marked you on symmetry, and to ensure you had no weak areas.

“If someone had strong arms but weak legs they could be marked down.

“A lot of it was based on muscle tone and shape.

“After that you do your compulsory poses of which there are seven.

“The final one is your own choreographed routine which you can do to music. As a former gymnast I try to make mine interesting with the splits and doing it to music.

“I try to make it more interesting being gymnastics.

“Being able to do it after coming back from surgery was huge for me.”

KENDAL: Helen Thwaites has won her 23rd title

Helen has previously recovered from major surgery and after delays from Covid was able to return to competition after two years away.

She has claimed a total of 23 major titles in bodybuilding, including winning the Cumbria and North title three times, Miss Britain, Miss Figure and multiple NPA titles.

Helen has been bodybuilding and competing in the Miss Figure Class since 1999, representing the United Kingdom on several occasions in places such as Greece, Spain, Germany, and Malta.

“I just want to thank every one of my family and friends who have supported me so much. It just can’t be done without their support. Also, a big thank you to Wrightington’s hospital. If it wasn’t for my surgeon I wouldn’t be where I am.”