Barriers prove no obstacle

Date: 04-12-2002 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamAustralia

Bodybuilder Janice Lorraine continues to defy age and gender barriers in her chosen sport.

At aged 60, Lorraine recently became the first female in the world to take out the International Natural Bodybuilding Association's title of Ms Universe in the Ultra Masters Division (60-69 years).

While the 60-year-old didn't have a single opponent to challenge her for the title, the accolade represents an achievement in itself.

Never has a female competed in bodybuilding over the age of 60 and the former psychologist says her recent Ms Universe title rates highly on her list of achievements alongside the coveted Ms Olympia title which she won in 1999.

Lorraine began bodybuilding after retiring five years ago and achieved early success by taking out the Ms Olympia and Ms Universe titles in only her second year. Lorraine was recognised for her success in 2000 when inducted into the Queanbeyan Sporting Gallery.

While there are personal reasons behind her participation in bodybuilding, Lorraine has a strong motivational drive behind her involvement.

"My whole aim is to try and break down age and role stereotypes until we've [women] got more choices," said Lorraine.

"People laughed at me at first going into body building but I've got five world titles now.

"When I first started there wasn't very many people competing in the over 50s but now there's a full lineup and I'm hoping that by starting in the 60s it might encourage other people to do it," she said.

Lorraine has also spent the past three years writing a book titled "Mind and Muscle" which she hopes to be published in the near future.

The book deals with how age and role stereotypes restrict people's options and aims to show what can be achieved if people step outside these barriers.

"The image I'm trying to portray is ... being strong, having a good body but not being this puffed up sort of masculine person.

"Weight resistance training has been proven to be beneficial in so many ways such as arthritis, flexibility, strength, mobility and to guard against osteoporosis and yet a lot of women won't do it because of the stereotype," she said.