Huntingdon man Chris Hartwig is ready to test his strength on the international stage.

The Hunts Post: Chris Hartwig in training ahead of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.Chris Hartwig in training ahead of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships. (Image: Archant)

The 28 year-old jets across the Atlantic later this month to compete in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Richmond, Canada.

The event, expected to attract more than 500 lifters from as many as 20 nations, runs from December 1 to December 5.

And Hartwig, who finished second in the All of England Championship, earlier this year, is relishing the challenge of competing in the Senior 120kg+ class.

Hartwig (28) said: “I’ve been training hard for 10 years, but I’ve only been lifting competitively for the last two years.

“This is by far the biggest event I’ve ever been involved in and I’m excited about the prospect of competing abroad.

“Powerlifters tend to get stronger as they get older and hopefully I can continue to improve in the coming years.

“The aim is to do well enough in Canada to get myself into contention for the European and World Championships.”

Hartwig trains regularly at the Quo Vadis gyminAbbots Ripton.

It is owned by former professional bodybuilder Stef Zicchi - a man who spotted Hartwig’s talent and urged him to enter competitions.

Hartwig has completed a full training schedule despite becoming a father for the second time a couple of weeks ago when wife Naz gave birth to Starla. The couple also have an older daughter, one year-old Skye.

Hartwig is targeting a 200kg bench press, 300kg squat and 320kg deadlift in Canada. Each competitor has three attempts in each category.

Hartwig’s intensive training involves three two-hour sessions each week. Recovery between sessions is also essential.

His diet involves the consumption of a lot of red meat, pasta and chicken. He stresses that eating correctly is an important as training.