Some people take up sport to shed a few pounds, but not this Westminster athlete, who was confirmed by the Guiness Book of records as the world’s heaviest competing sportwoman.

The collection of bizarre records from around the globe gave the debatable honour to sumo-wrestler Sharran Alexander of Maida Hill.

The 47-year-old, Britain’s only female sumo-wrestler, weighs in at over 32 stone and dines on a 5,000-calorie-a-day diet of pasta, pasties, Corn Flakes, chicken and plenty of rice.

She has won four gold medals in sumo competitions around the world and is planning to retire next year.