A female powerlifter showcased her incredible physique in a series of astonishing photographs. Russian lifter Natalia Kuznetsova, from Chita, has shared the images as she prepares to make her return to the sport at an event in Moscow after taking an 18-month hiatus.
The 26-year-old, who started bodybuilding as a teenager, announced her ‘retirement’ last year but has decided she cannot stay away from the sport. The athlete, who set multiple world records in bench press and deadlifting, said she will also be working as a coach to help others reach their potential. She said:
‘People definitely recognise me. An athletic body can be seen under clothes. Many people recognise me, ask to take a photo with them. Many people even know my name.’
The impressive athlete revealed how she got into bodybuilding at the tender age of 14, when she weighed less than 40kg (6st). She had originally began body building in the hope to gain weight but soon found herself transfixed by the sport. She says she now weighs 90kg (14st) and is looking forward to getting back to lifting heavy weights in the gym.
Natalia now trains for several hours every day and abides by a strict diet, adding protein powder to her food rather than spices or sauces. Natalia now documents her progress on her Instagram account where her impressive selfies have earned her more than 194,000 followers. The sportswoman admits that she has faced some criticism and hateful comments on her photos but has learned to ignore them.
Daily Mail