British Army Corporal Rhys Calland has won the Europe's Strongest Man title in Doncaster, marking a historic first for the armed forces.
The 30-year-old from Paignton, Devon, competed in the open weight category at the event organized by Natural Strongman in June 2026.
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Calland is the first active-duty soldier to participate at the European level in the men's open division, according to the BBC.
He completed six heavy-lifting challenges, including an axle deadlift of 310 kilograms for four repetitions, a press medley with a 140kg log, and a yoke and carry with a 360kg frame.
Other events included throwing sandbags up to 28kg over a 4.2m bar, a dumbbell ladder with weights up to 90kg, and loading 140kg sandbags.
Calland developed his passion for strongman as a child watching televised competitions and started training in his family garage at age 14.
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He previously won Devon's Strongest Man twice and the Armed Forces Strongest Man title, and secured first place at the WHEA World Championships in Finland in October 2025.
Calland trains with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Somerset and receives institutional support that allows him to train full-time.
He consumes up to 6,000 calories daily, starting at 5:00 AM, to sustain his extreme physical output.
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Calland will represent his unit at the World's Strongest Man tournament in Glasgow in August 2026.
