Female power: First-ever UK Armed Forces strongwoman-only event held in York

The first UK Armed Forces Strongwoman-only novice competition has been held in York. 

Twelve female athletes got to show off their strength across five different events, including a Battlefield Ambulance pull.

The winners were presented with trophies in different weight categories and qualify for the UKAF Strongest Man and Woman event in April.

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Corporal Alyssa Dixon from 150 Provost Company was the winner of the under-64kg category, while Staff Sergeant Nicole Frew from 21 Multi-Role Medical Regiment was champion in the under-73kg event.

The under-82kg category was won by 3 Medical Regiment's Private Chelsea Francis, while Major Lucia Phillips, from the Regional Occupational Health Team, Catterick, won the open event.

A number of famous faces from the world of Strongwoman were special guests, including 2024 MLW World's Strongest Woman Meg Robson-Austin, five-time Scotland's Strongest Woman Nicola Bennett and 2025 over-40s World's Strongest Woman Claire Myler.

Full results:

U64kg:

1. Corporal Alyssa Dixon, 150 Provost Company
2. Sergeant Alicia Daniels, 21 Multi-Role Medical Regiment
3. Lance Corporal Kayleigh Sullivan-Reeve, 21 Multi-Role Medical Regiment

U73kg:

1. Staff Sergeant Nicole Frew, 21 Multi-Role Medical Regiment
2. Captain Danielle Ashton, 21 Multi-Role Medical Regiment
3. Major Nikki O’Donnell, 21 Multi-Role Medical Regiment

U82kg:

1. Private Chelsea Francis, 3 Medical Regiment
2. Lance Corporal Chloe Bint, 1 Close Support Battalion REME
3. Bombardier Emma Brown, 101 Regiment Royal Artillery

Opens:

1. Major Lucia Phillips, Regional Occupational Health Team, Catterick
2. Lance Corporal Kirsten Robb, 21 Signal Regiment