From watching strongman competitions on television as a child to stepping onto one of the sport’s biggest stages, Corporal Rhys Calland’s journey is anything but ordinary.
Corporal Rhys Calland has achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for Ultimate Strongman England’s Strongest Man competition.
Based in Somerset and serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Rhys made history by qualifying for Ultimate Strongman’s England’s Strongest Man competition, becoming the first serving member of the Armed Forces to compete at this level.
For Rhys, the journey began out of simple boredom with his usual training routine. “I always watched strongman on telly at Christmas as a child,” he recalled. “I knew the Army did it, and it was an option.”
After ten years of repetitive gym sessions, Rhys was ready for a change. “I got really bored of doing the same thing for 10 years.
“When I tried strongman, I just loved everything about it.”
New challenges
Corporal Rhys Calland has achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for Ultimate Strongman England’s Strongest Man competition.
What started as a fresh challenge quickly grew into something more serious. Since then, Rhys had built an impressive strongman CV—winning Devon’s Strongest Man twice, claiming the Armed Forces Strongest Man title, and taking first place at the World Heavy Events Association (WHEA) World Championships.
“When I tried strongman, I just loved everything about it.”
Making his debut in the Ultimate Strongman federation, Rhys placed third out of 17 of England’s strongest competitors, outperforming seasoned athletes including former national champions and international podium finishers. This achievement earned him a place at England’s Strongest Man 2026.
Battling imposter syndrome
Corporal Rhys Calland has achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for Ultimate Strongman England’s Strongest Man competition.
Despite the success, the leap to the England’s stage was a huge step up. “It was a bit strange,” he admitted. “Most grassroots strongman events happen in a car park with just a few people watching. This was a massive level up—3,500 people paid to come see me on the stage.
“I’d paid to watch these events before, so knowing I was now the person people had come to see and meet was very strange.”
“I’d paid to watch these events before, so knowing I was now the person people had come to see and meet was very strange.”
Preparation for England’s had been intense. “Training went really well. I tried to keep my personal bests for competition so my body wouldn’t feel too tired on the day,” he explained.
“There were some events I hadn’t really tried before, like the 90kg monster dumbbell, which involved lifting it overhead as many times as possible in a minute. I hadn’t quite got to grips with that in training.”
Despite the pressure of the unknown, Rhys stayed grounded in what he knew best. “My favourite event was the atlas stones, which was the last event, so I looked forward to finishing the competition on a high.”
More funding, better results
Corporal Rhys Calland has achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for Ultimate Strongman England’s Strongest Man competition.
His confidence was bolstered by the growing recognition of strongman within the Army, now officially recognised as a sport. “It’s really important for the sport to grow. We’re getting more funding for kit and equipment,” he said.
“It’s really important for the sport to grow. We’re getting more funding for kit and equipment,”
“That support has allowed me to train full time and be released from work. I can train twice a day and spend much longer in the gym.”
With increased backing came rapid progress and a shift in mindset. “I think I’ve outgrown the Army competitions,” Rhys reflected.
“That means I can give others coming up a chance to compete in those tri-service events and help pave the way for the next competitor.”
Having stepped onto the England’s Strongest Man stage, Rhys was still coming to terms with what he had achieved. “I’m quite a confident person, and strongman is what I do every day.
“I’m proud of getting to England’s level. You never know, I might get the chance to go to UK’s, but I’m grateful for getting to England’s first.”
“But having that many people watch me was different—I just needed to remember the sport wasn’t something foreign to me.”
Looking ahead, qualification for UK’s Strongest Man was within reach, but Rhys remained focused on the present. “I’m proud of getting to England’s level. You never know, I might get the chance to go to UK’s, but I’m grateful for getting to England’s first.”
The British Army is recruiting right now to fill 10,000 jobs across the UK with more than 200 roles to choose from, covering everything from frontline combat and cyber security to helicopter pilots, chefs and support roles. If you’re aged 16 to 50 and if you want to find out more about a career in the Army, click Army Jobs website.
Junior rank soldiers battle for glory in the ‘World’s Toughest Row'
