Cosford Challenge: RAF hold first Strongman competition as sport continues to grow

The RAF have jumped on the Strongman train as competitors across the forces battled against each other to win top position.

This growing community, which hopes to become an official forces sport, held the first ever RAF Championships at RAF Cosford.

Personnel pushed their bodies to the limit to win one of six categories.

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The event also saw the first ever forces records set for the axel.

Here's a breakdown of the new records:

• Female under 63 weight category: 75kg
• Female Open: 80kg
• Men's under 80: 100kg
• Men's under 90: 105kg
• Men's Open: 135kg

Outside of the new forces records, personnel also hit some new personal bests of their own, including Corporal Simon Millins, who lifted 205kg for 17 reps, just beating his opponent.

He said it came down to one rep, explaining: "I was a bit worried to be honest. The gentleman before me pulled out a good 16 reps. [I] wasn't sure if I could actually get it, but luckily I managed to get that last rep just in time."

The Royal Air Force's Sergeant Nicole Way also surprised herself on a couple of the rounds.

She said: "Personal bests on the farmers and on the deadlifts as well, so I was quite happy with that."

Sgt Way added that she enjoyed the challenge as she had gone up against "quite a few very strong ladies".

The women dominated their categories, with Findy Parker and Lydia Hilson battling it out for top spot showing exactly how it should be done on the deadlift.

Corporal Alex Jones, the event organiser for this competition, was spotting Findy.

"That was impressive," he said as he watched her lift 22 reps on a weight that was 20kg heavier than her own body.

As it's not an official forces sport many of the athletes take on Strongman Competitions in the civilian world.

The Army's Lance Corporal Rhys Calland is a regular competitor and set the new record for the men's opener on the axel.

He said: "Out of the rack I've pushed pressed 160[kg]. The most I've ever done is 145 [kg] from the floor of an axel bar, but I could have gone 150-155[kg] today."

The winners from the six categories:

• Female Under 63: Findy Parker
• Female Open: Katie White
• Men's Under 80: Mark Henshaw
• Men's Under 90: Ryan Hepworth
• Men's Under 105: Simon Millins
• Men's Open: Rhys Colland

The Army dominated the categories but RAF Cosford's own PTI Ryan Hepworth represented the Air Force, taking home their only trophy.

But it was two soldiers from REME who remained unbeaten in their categories - Corporal Millins and Lance Corporal Calland.

Cpl Millins said: "It feels really, really good, there was quite a few strong people within my category so I'm happy I actually managed to go unbeaten today."

LCpl Calland added: "I got pushed hard in a few events so it was good to come out on top."

Strongman is continuing to grow across the forces, with the first event held at an RAF base they hope to take it to more locations and may soon become an official forces sport.