Tampa woman, 94, competes as powerlifter

Believe it or not, 94-year-old Edith Traina is a powerlifter.

"I'm looking forward to doing at least 200 pounds by the time I'm 100 so I can celebrate my centennial," Traina said.

Traina lives in Hillsborough County. Thanks to a friend, she entered the intense world of powerlifting at the young age of 91.

"She dragged me kicking and screaming to the gym, and I figured I'd keep her happy for a while and get her off my back, but I got hooked," she said.

Since then, Traina has competed in more than a dozen competitions, though she admits she's the only one in her age group.

"With this I just walk up lift it put it down. I get all these applause, great for the ego," she joked.

Bill Beekley coaches Traina through her three-day-a-week workouts.

"The effort that comes out of her when she's in the gym is amazing," Beekley said.

Even more amazing, she found out about a year ago that she has COPD.

"I've been training working out and now I still have COPD, but I have it so under control I don't even realize anything wrongs at all," Traina said.

She hopes to inspire others to try something new.

"To think about being able to increase the value of their body by their time they're senior citizens," she said. "When you're lifting and you think oh my God I'm doing it, you surprise yourself."