Hitting the gym six days a week paid dividends for Brampton’s Katie Sibley as she scooped second place in a national bodybuilding competition.

The Hunts Post: Katie Sibley with her daughter, Ellie-May.Katie Sibley with her daughter, Ellie-May. (Image: Archant)

Katie, 26, claimed the runners-up spot in the bikini class at the Physical Culture Association UK Open, held in Nottingham, on October 2.

The mum-of-one said she was “delighted” with the result in her first major national competition and was rewarded with an invitation to compete at next year’s British Finals event, where the country’s top bodybuilders will be on show.

Katie trains under former professional bodybuilder Neale Cranwell at Musclecraft Gym, in Huntingdon, dividing her time between her rigorous regime, her job as a nail technician, and being mum to seven-year-old Ellie-May.

She said: “The competition preparation can be quite hard on your family life and work life but it is good fun and it is something that I enjoy. I was delighted to get the second place.

“The hardest part about training for the show was reducing my calorie intake because at some points I felt like a zombie, which was really tough.”

Katie celebrated her achievement with her favourite treat, a Nutella doughnut, and a meal at a restaurant in Huntingdon after the show.

Katie says will be taking it easy for a few weeks before she re-adjusts her training programme and looks to begin again early next year for a new round of competitions.