ATHLETES from a North-East kettlebell club have flown to Germany to compete in the European Championships.

Four competitors from the Tu Nova Kettlebell Club in Darlington are flying to Stolberg to compete in the event, which runs until Sunday.

The team heading to Germany is made up of Charlotte Welton from Darlington, Joanne Tonkin from Darlington, Steven Gordon from Darlington, and Simon Trenholm from Teesside.

Kettlebell lifting is a form of endurance weightlifting that originated in Russia, and involves competitors doing dozens of reps and lifts.

Head coach Steven Gordon said: "I am hugely proud that the Darlington-based team will make up the England team at this year's championships.

"The growth and development of the club over recent years has been fantastic. With our current crop of international athletes, we hope we can set a great example for our junior squads within the club as well as our fellow senior lifters.

"The sport really tests every athletes strength, endurance from both a physical and mental side. The hard work has been done by the team so now it's time to rest, relax and get ready to enjoy the event."

The team has previously shown its strength and stamina with a successful national performance, coming away with 12 medals at the British Kettlebell Sport Championships in Harrogate last year.

The haul was made up of ten golds and two silvers as well as three absolute champion trophies.

Mr Gordon added: "For some of the team though it will be back into hard training as at the end of June the team will be back in action at English Championships as well as the fourth stage of the World Cup and Junior Championships in Paris.

"We have some fantastic events a head of us in 2019 and with our ever growing team we are really looking forward to seeing more people compete on the international stage."

For more information about Tu Nova Kettlebell Club , email ste@kettlebellcommunity.com or find them on Facebook.