A SOUTHAMPTON woman is celebrating after becoming one of the best bodybuilders in the world.

Professional bodybuilder Marina Cornwall competed against 19 women to come 5th in the annual World Natural Bodybuilding competition in New York.

Marina, who has previously won the Amateur World Championships, impressed a panel of judges with her muscles at the event after a strict training routine that lasted a year.

Marina, a personal trainer based at Fitness First in Shirley, said: “I’m very pleased my place bearing in mind I am only 97lbs and was up against women as heavy as 130lbs. I would have done better if there was a light weight category.”

The WNBF is a natural competition where the athletes are drug-tested.