PENRYN has a new world champion.

Tian Peacock has returned from the WDFPF Powerlifting Championships, held in Italy, with the 60kg junior weight title.

The 23 year-old gas engineer said: "It feels a bit weird, it hasn't properly sunk in. We had to stay an extra night in Italy because the plane was delayed, so I've just come home and gone straight back to work. I haven't had too much time to think about what I've done."

Tian swept all before him in the remote town of Gela, on the island of Sicily. His overall total lift from three sections - squat, bench and deadlift - fell just 2.5k short of equalling the world record.

His total of 432.5kg was a massive 67.5g heavier than his nearest challenger and he successfully completed a deadlift that was more than three times his bodyweight.

Competitors came from as far afield as New Zealand and America for the drug free championship, but Tian's dedication saw him triumph.

"I have worked for two years solid with my coach and mentor Justin Walker for the last couple of years and I've also had great sponsorship from St Michael's Hotel and Blue Flame, so I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me.

"I have always kept fit, having played rugby for years. Although I am quite small, I realised that I could compete with bigger guys in the gym. I watched a friend in a competition and people said that I should give it a go. I wasn't sure at first, but I'm glad I did."

Tian, who endured five hours on the grounded plane before being told it was not going to fly due to fog, now holds the European and World record for bench press, as well as three British records (squat, deadlift and total).

He will now move up to the Open category, as he is too old for the Junior section. Fresh from winning his world title, he returned to action on Saturday when he qualified for the British Championships at the South West event in Plymouth.