For most people, watching Strongman on television at Christmas is little more than a festive tradition.
For Corporal Rhys Calland, it became the start of something much bigger.
The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) soldier has become the first serving member of the Armed Forces to qualify for Ultimate Strongman’s England’s Strongest Man competition, marking a historic breakthrough for military representation in the sport.
Based in Somerset, Rhys’ rise through the Strongman ranks has been rapid, but the journey began in a surprisingly relatable way — sheer boredom with ordinary gym training.
“I always watched Strongman on telly at Christmas as a child,” he recalled, per The Army website. “I knew the Army did it, and it was an option.”
After years of repetitive sessions in the gym, he knew he needed something different.
“I got really bored of doing the same thing for 10 years, he said. “When I tried Strongman, I just loved everything about it.”
That decision changed everything.
What began as a new challenge soon developed into a serious competitive pursuit, with Rhys quickly establishing himself as one of the standout names in British military Strongman.
His achievements already include two Devon’s Strongest Man titles, victory at the Armed Forces Strongest Man competition, and first place at the World Heavy Events Association (WHEA) World Championships.
But competing at England’s Strongest Man represented a completely different level.
Making his debut in the Ultimate Strongman federation, Rhys finished third out of 17 athletes against some of the country’s most experienced competitors — including former national champions and international podium finishers.
The result secured qualification for England’s Strongest Man 2026 and cemented his place among the elite names in the sport.
Despite the achievement, Rhys admitted the experience initially felt surreal.
“It was a bit strange,” he admitted. “Most grassroots strongman events happen in a car park with just a few people watching. This was a massive level up—3,500 people paid to come see me on the stage.
“I’d paid to watch these events before, so knowing I was now the person people had come to see and meet was very strange.”
The scale of the occasion was unlike anything he had experienced before.
Strongman competitions are often gritty, grassroots events built around local crowds and industrial estates. Suddenly, Rhys found himself under arena lights in front of thousands of spectators — no longer a fan in the audience, but one of the athletes people had turned up to see.
Preparation for the event demanded another step up physically and mentally.
“Training went really well. I tried to keep my personal bests for competition so my body wouldn’t feel too tired on the day,” he explained.
“There were some events I hadn’t really tried before, like the 90kg monster dumbbell, which involved lifting it overhead as many times as possible in a minute. I hadn’t quite got to grips with that in training.”
Even with the uncertainty surrounding some events, Rhys stayed confident in the disciplines that suited him best.
“My favourite event was the atlas stones, which was the last event, so I looked forward to finishing the competition on a high,” he said.
That composure under pressure proved vital as he battled through one of the toughest line-ups of his career.
While strongman remains a niche sport in many areas, Rhys believes recognition within the Army is beginning to transform opportunities for athletes coming through the system.
“It’s really important for the sport to grow. We’re getting more funding for kit and equipment,” he said. “That support has allowed me to train full time and be released from work. I can train twice a day and spend much longer in the gym.”
The additional backing has not only improved his training environment, but also accelerated his development as an athlete.
With the Army now officially recognising Strongman as a sport, competitors like Rhys are benefiting from greater support structures, improved equipment access, and increased time to prepare at elite level.
For Rhys, that progress has also changed his perspective on where he now fits within military competition.
“I think I’ve outgrown the Army competitions,” Rhys reflected. “That means I can give others coming up a chance to compete in those tri-service events and help pave the way for the next competitor.”
It is a significant statement from an athlete who only entered the sport looking for something fresh after growing tired of conventional training.
Now, he is helping open doors for others in the Armed Forces to believe elite strongman is a realistic pathway.
Despite his confidence, Rhys admitted the scale of England’s Strongest Man still tested him mentally.
“I’m quite a confident person, and strongman is what I do every day,” he said. “But having that many people watch me was different—I just needed to remember the sport wasn’t something foreign to me.”
That grounding ultimately helped him handle the occasion and produce one of the standout performances of the competition.
And while qualification for UK’s Strongest Man could still lie ahead, Rhys remains focused on appreciating how far he has already come.
“I’m proud of getting to England’s level. You never know, I might get the chance to go to UK’s, but I’m grateful for getting to England’s first.”
For someone who grew up watching Strongman from the sofa during Christmas broadcasts, standing among England’s strongest athletes already feels like a full-circle moment.
Now, he may just be getting started.
Featured image credit: Rhys Calland / Instagram
