Strongman officially recognised as a Forces sport with category 3 and 4 status across the services

Strongman has officially been recognised as an official Forces sport across all three services in the British military.

The decision means the sport will receive more support and funding to continue improving participation numbers and creating memorable tri-service events with a category 3 status within the British Army and RAF while the Navy have decided on category 4.

Organisers have put an immense amount of effort to improve the sport over the last few years with numbers at each event improving.

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After the announcement, Captain Luke Heppenstall, a key figure in the growth of Forces strongman, said: "We were ecstatic to hear of our recent recognition.

"Our team has put blood, sweat and tears into growing the sport from grassroots and gaining formal recognition has shown our people that their efforts have been for a worthy cause.

"We eagerly await the next steps from the UKAF Sports Board and hope that our elite athletes can begin representing the UKAF at national and international competitions in civilian sport."

In April, the first ever Forces Strongman competition took place with Phase Two recruit Josh McKay crowned one of the strongest soldiers in the Army.

"I'm pretty new to it," he said. "It was a bit of pressure… it's a bit different to being in the gym, but the atmosphere of everyone watching you is really positive. It's all good sport."