A POWERLIFTING paralympian from East Bergholt has clinched a bronze medal in Brazil.

Zoe Newson, of Askins Road, looked to build on her success at the 2012 London Paralympics, where she bagged her first bronze.

Ms Newson, 24, secured an impressive third place in the women’s 45kg and under category on Friday.

Speaking to the Standard from Rio de Janeiro, she said: “I am really, really pleased.

“To get a personal best was just fantastic. Since London, I have had some ups and downs, so this is a great feeling.

“The atmosphere here in Rio is amazing and I still have some time left here to enjoy it.

“The support from friends and family back at home has been amazing too.”

“I have had so many messages saying congratulations and well done.”

Ms Newson’s mother, Helen Newson, said: “We have just got back from Rio where we have been supporting Zoe.

“We couldn’t really open the front door when we got back for all the cards that had been left.

“We are more than pleased with how she did and we are so proud.”

Hard-working Ms Newson spent four years preparing to compete in Rio, training at East Bergholt Sports Centre.

She trained with Suffolk Spartans, a powerlifting club founded in 2007, which welcomes anyone of any age, ability or disability.

The club said: “Thoughts that Zoe’s performance in London was a fluke or a result of good luck can now be dismissed as she has gone out in Rio and performed well to achieve another bronze medal.

“A tough qualification campaign with issues over classification meant she was ranked sixth in the world entering these games.

“She wasn’t tipped to win a medal by anyone outside of Suffolk Spartans, who knew how well she was training.

“All at the club, along with family and friends, watched the excitement together and were cheering her all the way. As a club we are so proud.”

“She and Suffolk Spartans are true testament to what can be achieved with the minimum of equipment, dedicated volunteers, hard work and no funding.”

Lawford swimmer Ryan Crouch, 22, who has cerebral palsy, qualified for two events and made it to the final of the S9 50 meters freestyle.

He finished last in the final, but supporters say he can still be “hugely proud” to have made it so far in Rio.

He now swims for Ipswich Swimming Club but is a former member of Colchester Phoenix and Harwich and Dovercourt Swimming Club.