Cheltenham weightlifters Charlie Stone and Trish Tenn are world champions.

They produced standout performances at the Masters World Championships in Rovaniemi, Finland, to claim age group golds.

“It was very, very emotional,” Stone said after being crowned champion in the men’s 35-40, 102kg category. “To hear the national anthem being played, that was special.

“It’s a great feeling to win an international competition.

“The competition was tough but it was great that all the hard work has paid off.”

Stone, a former pupil at King’s School, Gloucester, took up weightlifting some 12 years ago.

He founded Stone Strength Weightlifting five years ago and he was just as pleased to see Tenn, one of the athletes at his club, win gold in the 60-65, 55kg category.

“I am beyond proud of Trish,” said the self-employed weightlifting coach.

Both Stone and Tenn train at Gym66 in Cheltenham and follow detailed programmes through Stone Strength Weightlifting, training four or five times a week to perfect their technique.

And while Stone has won silver in the English Senior Championships and bronze in the British Senior Championships in recent times, he really enjoys his coaching too.

“I enjoy training and I enjoy the sport,” he said. “It’s a very nice sport because you see people develop when you coach them.

“It’s not just the physical side, they have to take accountability for what they eat, when they sleep; it’s about having healthy habits.”

Stone and Tenn are now targeting the English Senior Championships in December.

“It would be nice to get on the podium again,” Stone said.