A Dundee University sports coach “cried with frustration” when a collapsed lung stalled her weightlifting career.
But hardy Helen Weavers has bounced back from a serious bout of pneumonia with a bang to claim a silver medal at the World Masters Weightlifting Championships.
The 35-year-old strength and conditioning coach was hospitalised last year with the devastating illness and was bedridden for three months while she regained her strength before returning to work and training.
Helen who has previously claimed gold in the Scottish and British Masters only began to train again six months ago and admits that she struggled to pick up from where she left off. The weightlifter has now put her nightmare year behind her by claiming silver at the international event, held in Finland.
Helen, who only took up the sport shortly before falling ill, concedes there were days when she wondered if she would ever be able to train again. She said: “I was off work for three months. I then went back to the gym after six months and cried with frustration because I was so weak and my lungs hurt.
“I had originally learned the lifts as a part of my coaching, as many sports use these lifts in training to develop strength and power.
“I discovered I really enjoyed learning the lifts and the training so I carried on with it but then I got pneumonia and I had to start all over again.
“I am absolutely delighted with my silver medal and look forward to a bit of time out before the preparations for the next competition.
“Competing at the world championships was a nervy experience but I was so pleased with my performance. I got a personal best, which is all I could ask for.”
Helen revealed her family and friends helped to fund her trip to the contest, as she recovered from her illness.
She said: “The support from family and friends has been totally overwhelming. Without my knowledge, some of my friends set up a crowdfunding page and raised £1,350 for my trip to Finland, which was an incredibly lovely thing for them to do.
“I also got sponsorship from the Dundee Sportsman’s Dinner and Discover Beauty in Dundee, and I have to thank everyone who helped make it possible for me to compete in the world championships.”