Strongman has become an official Army sport, with events promoted to boost the health

Strongman and woman contests have been officially recognised as a sport by the Army - meaning troops can take time out to participate. The UK Armed Forces Sports Board says the initiative will encourage more soldiers to take up the discipline, which helps develop resilience, strength and discipline.

It includes lifting, carrying and endurance-based exercises - similar to military fitness tasks. An Army source called it "a safe and accessible form of fitness" that is suitable for "all abilities and body shapes". Under the move, the Strongman and Strongwoman Association (SSA) has been given Category 3 status, which allows service personnel to take part in single service and inter-service competitions using non-public funding.

Time away from duties may be granted for recognised events. Cpl Rhys Calland, 29, who is the reigning Armed Forces Strongest Man, welcomed the initiative. The 6ft 2in vehicle mechanic, who is based at RNAS Yeovilton with 1 Regiment, Army Air Corps, said: "It's a great sport to combine with a military career. That applies even more so now that it's an official Army sport and can be integrated into our weekly routines. We'll be able to source funding for better equipment, organise training camps in advance and travel to major events."

He added: "Most Strongman disciplines are similar to role fitness training. Deadlifts feature in both, as do sandbag lifts, and the power bag on to a platform is very like Strongman's lifting the stone." Cpl Calland began lifting when he was 15 and joined the Army four years later in 2019. He has go on to win four of the five military contests he has entered so far.

In April he won Devon's Strongest Man as well as the open category of the first Armed Forces Strongest Man and Woman Championship, held in Catterick. He said: "Strongman contests last all day so you need endurance to be competitive. I eat about 6,000 calories a day - good food with protein and carbs in every meal.

"When I don't eat enough my training really suffers. I went camping recently and ate mainly breakfast cereal over the weekend. I felt weak for days afterwards and it compromised my schedule a bit."