Paignton weightlifter wins Devon's Strongest Man and Armed Forces Strongest Man in same week

Paignton can now boast it has the strongest man in Devon and the armed forces after local strongman Rhys Calland took home the two titles in the same week

29-year-old Rhys Calland, a vehicle mechanic in the Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, managed to take the top spot at both Devon’s Strongest Man at Trago Mills and the RAF Championships at RAF Cosford. 

“You can imagine I’m quite sore,” he said. 

“Both events were tough, but it was a good week. It was a great feeling to be crowned the strongest man in the armed forces and then also in Devon three days later."

Inspired by World’s Strongest Man, Devon’s Strongest Man saw 42 competitors in four different classes (Women's, Men's Novice, Men's Under 100kg, Men's Over 100kg) compete in five different events. 

Those were the Maximum Axle Deadlift, Conan's Wheel, Fingal's Fingers, Hercules Hold and Atlas Stones. 

Rhys said: “Atlas stones are probably my favourite, and my least favourite is any sort of carrying event, where you have to move something.”

Rhys managed to average out the best results by several points, including coming first in the Atlas Stones and the Fingal’s Fingers to take the top spot. 

Over 400 people were in the crowd and the event raised £665 for St Giles Trust - a charity that helps disadvantaged young people. 

Rhys continued: “The atmosphere was really good, and everyone was cheering each other on. There's none of this trying to beat each other as such. Everyone wants to win, but we all still want to see everyone do their best.”

Mickey Harper from Mammoth Strength Club, who organised Devon's Strongest Man, said: “I'm really pleased with the turnout we had for Devon's Strongest Man & Woman this year. It's the first time since the pandemic that the competition has been held but the public support has been so positive and it definitely inspires the Mammoth Strength Club team to do more next year.

“The feats of strength on display for a regional event were really top class and showcased brilliantly the strong people we have in Devon. Congratulations to all the winners - hopefully, we'll see you defend your crowns next summer!”

Rhys's triumph was even more astounding, given that he had won the Men’s Open event at the Armed Forces Strongman event just three days before. In that, Rhys came first in every event, apart from one event where he drew first. 

The work to get to this point hasn’t been easy. Rhys has been training since he was 14-years-old to get to where he is now. In the long run, he’s setting his sights to qualify for England’s Strongest Man.

He explained: “Motivation is the wrong word. It's more of a discipline. I just started the gym when I was young and I just fell in love with it, to be honest.