Eleven novice strongwomen from across Defence have come together to compete in the first ever UK Armed Forces novice strongwoman event, held at Strensall, York.
The UK Armed Forces Strongest Female Novice competition took place on 18 March 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, York.
Staff Sergeant Nicole Frew from the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving with 21st Multinational Medical Regiment, pulls herself while strapped to an ambulance using a rope during the UK Armed Forces Strongest Female Novice competition.
Major Lucia Phillips from the Royal Horse Artillery participates in the overhead press event during the UK Armed Forces Strongest Female Novice competition.
Lance Corporal Chole Bint from 1st Battalion, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, participates in the sandbag event during the UK Armed Forces Strongest Female Novice competition.
Trophies and awards will be presented to participants upon completion of the UK Armed Forces Strongest Female Novice competition.
The day’s challenges pushed the competitors to their limits, featuring events like deadlifts ranging from 100-125kg, overhead medleys, sandbag carries, farmer’s carry, and finishing with an arm pull of a three-tonne Army battlefield ambulance, all on the hottest day of the year so far.
Putting previous experience into practice
For many, these events were brand new, but some found their previous sporting experience gave them a handy edge.
Corporal Alyssa Dixon, a military police officer, with 150 Provost Company, who previously competed in Army athletics and powerlifting, decided to give strongwoman a go, and it paid off.
Corporal Alyssa Dixon prepares for the deadlift event during the UK Armed Forces Strongest Female Novice competition
“Strongwoman is so friendly, welcoming and different to any sport I’ve competed in before. Everyone is so happy for you and your results, the environment is amazing, I’ve made loads of connections from it,” she said.
Alyssa, who took first place in her weight division, also praised the sport for helping her regain confidence after struggling with mental health challenges. “Powerlifting and Strongwoman has 100 per cent helped me with my mental health and low confidence issues, it gave me my confidence back.”
Creating opportunities in sport
The competition, designed to boost grassroots participation, was led by Major Katie Hildred, the female lead for UK Armed Forces strongman and strongwoman.
“If even one competitor walks away believing she’s capable of more than she thought, then this event has done exactly what it was designed to do.”
She said: “For many women across the Armed Forces, opportunities in strength sport are still developing.
“This competition helps change that by providing an accessible entry point into a discipline that rewards grit, resilience, and personal courage.
“Our aim is to create a pathway that allows UK Armed Forces women to step forward, try something new, and see that their potential in this sport is limitless.
“If even one competitor walks away believing she’s capable of more than she thought, then this event has done exactly what it was designed to do.”
World's Strongest Woman adds star quality
Competitors, referees, and Forces Mutual stand together at the UK Armed Forces Strongest Female Novice competition.
The event also attracted some star power, with Giants Live, the new event sponsor in attendance. Donna Moore, three-time World’s Strongest Woman, was full of praise:
“The military women gave their all today, I didn’t expect anything less. It’s great to see the camaraderie between them all and showing that women can lift heavy weights.”
“I hope for the novices, seeing athletes from Giants Live here will spur them on to want to continue competing — there are real-life examples of what they can achieve in the sport.”
Next up, the strongwomen will take on the UK Armed Forces Strongest Women competition in Colchester next month.