Irish barrister and mum-of-two wins Miss Bikini title

Mother-of-two Anita Williamson-Graham is getting used to holding court outside chambers after she finished first in the Miss Bikini over-40s category in the Fitness Model Northern Ireland championship.

And now, the 45-year-old legal eagle from Banbridge, who is as comfortable on stage in swimwear as she is in her barrister's wig and gown, is hoping to go one step further by securing a world title in Dublin this Saturday.

In an exclusive interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Anita, who only started training in May, said a desire for new challenges made her want to compete.

"I was always into fitness and a couple of friends suggested that I go down this route," she said.

Although she was already in great shape, Anita credits local trainer Michelle Moult for pushing her to the limit, as well as Aaron Donaghy, from Ultra Fitness in Banbridge, who provided a strict nutritional plan for making her ultra fit.

Her first competition was in the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick in September, when she won Miss Bikini over-40s and came third in the Yummy Mummy category in the championship run by Martin and Peppe Spence. The following month, Anita once again secured the Miss Bikini top title and gained second place in the Yummy Mummy section.

"I'm not sure how many people I was up against - or who beat me - because I was so focused on the event each time," she admitted.

Anita - who practices criminal, civil and family law - explained that she must perform a routine to music in front of the judges in this Saturday's World Fitness Model Championships, where she'll be competing in the same categories.

"It's not like a bodybuilding competition, where everybody's pumped up," she said.

Belfast Telegraph