ZOE Newson shed tears of joy after scooping a superb gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

The 30-year-old from East Bergholt was victorious in the women’s lightweight powerlifting final, in Birmingham.

She said: “As soon as I found out I just burst out crying backstage.

“I was just trying for a PB [102kg], to enjoy it and do my best really. But coming away with the gold medal is a massive bonus.

“I didn't get the PB but I got the gold medal so I'm happy with that.”

 

Nigerian competitors Onyinyechi Gift Mark and Latifat Tijani were both disqualified from the competition.

She said: “It was a little bit of a boost, but I just stayed focused on myself. I didn't think about what was happening around me.”

Newson was joined on the podium by England team-mate Olivia Broome, who won silver.

She said: “I know today we're opponents but we're friends as well, so I was so happy to have her up on the podium with me.

"We get on and train together, cheer each other on.”

 

Newson has already enjoyed plenty of powerlifting success, having competed at the Paralympics in each of Tokyo 2020, Rio 2016 and London 2012.

And she is already setting her sights on her next competition.

She said: “Five weeks today, I've got Europeans, so I'll have a day off then focus on that. Hopefully I'll be there in Paris."