Corporal Rhys Calland of British Army with 3rd place trophy for Ultimate Strongman — The British Army's Corporal Rhys Calland with his third-place trophy after a performance which catapulted him into the England's Strongest Man competition (Picture: Corporal Rhys Calland)

Sport

Army athlete becomes first serviceman to qualify for England's Strongest Man competition

An Army athlete has become the first serving member of the Armed Forces to make it into the England's Strongest Man competition.

Corporal Rhys Calland placed 3rd out of 17 in an open class tournament, pitted against a number of former England’s and Britain's strongest men, world record holders and international podium finishers.

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Making his debut performance in the federation, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers soldier beat numerous opponents who had spent three or more years in the competition circle.

A top 4-6 finish in Channel 5's Ultimate Strongman England's Strongest Man competition on 24 May will grant him an invitation to UK's Strongest Man on 1 August - also televised.