Army corporal Rhys Calland crowned Europe's Strongest Man

"Me as a kid would have been really proud of where I've got to," says Cpl Rhys Calland on winning the title of Europe's Strongest Man. Calland, from Paignton in Devon, says he grew up watching strongman competitions on television before launching his own training regime in his parent's garage at the tender age of 14. The tough toil paid off when he lifted the coveted trophy in the open weight category - featuring the heaviest lifts - at the competition in Doncaster this month. "It's surreal - such a good feeling," adds Calland, who is the first serving member of the armed forces to compete at European level in the men's open category. Calland says fans were now asking to take photographs with him - a "surreal experience" - but that his family was "super proud". The 30-year-old father of two says "hard work and discipline" have been the secret to success: "This morning I didn't want to get out of bed and train but you just have to keep grinding." The "grind" has taken him from the car park competitions where he learnt his craft to big, ticketed events like Europe's Strongest Man, run by Natural Strongman. "I'd paid to watch these events before, so knowing I was now the person people

Jun 18, 2026 → Jun 18, 2026