WYRE Forest’s strongest man and woman have been crowned at a ‘hugely successful’ event in Kidderminster,
Wyre Forest’s Strongest Man and Woman 2026 took place at Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Club on Marlpool Lane.
The competition, which was organised by gym owner Charlie Wilson and strength trainer Charlie Cox, and hosted by Wyreside Barbell, saw 46 competitors battle it out for the title of Wyre Forest’s Strongest Man and Woman over five ‘gruelling’ events.
After the event, Charlie was on hand to express his pride at the competitions success.
“After the hugely successful strongest man and woman competition in 2025, Wyre Forest’s Strongest Man and Woman 2026 took to the Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Club to showcase a bigger, better and stronger competition,” He said.
“None of this would have been possible without the team at Wyreside Barbell.
“Everyone who was involved in running the event was a volunteer giving up their time to ensure we put on a show.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to the community at Wyreside Barbell, who have got behind the event and supported the event, making it the electrifying show that it was.
“Myself and strength coach Charlie Cox would not be able to run such an epic event without the amazing community at Wyreside Barbell. I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved.
“Our challenge now is to make 2027 even bigger and even better.”
Rob Griffiths doing a 200kg Conan’s Wheel (Image: EMMA_WILDING)
Wyre Forest Strongest Man and Woman 2026 was split into five categories: women’s first timers, men’s novice, women’s, men’s and men’s max deadlift.
Event one saw the women’s and women’s first timers classification take on the Farmers’ Walk event, where competitors have to carry two weighted metal frames at their sides for 20 metres until they cross a finish line.
The Yoke walk sees the competitors carry the metal frame on their backs.
The fastest time for a 300kg 20m yoke run in the men’s category was run by Kurtis England in 8.63 seconds, whilst Katie Parry ‘stormed’ 65kg in each hand, winning the farmers walk in 9.44 seconds.
Event two for the women’s and first timers women’s was a pressing medley where competitors had to consecutively press an axle, a log, a beer keg and a giant dumbbell over their head.
Paula Downes completed all four implements in 17.50 seconds, while Katie Parry won her category with a time of 27.12 seconds.
The men’s novice category had to log press 80kg for as many reps as they could in one minute, while the men’s open category had to do the same but with a 101kg axle.
Paula Downes with a 50kg farmers walk per hand (Image: EMMA_WILDING)
Connor Parsloe and Kurtis England both managed six reps with the axle and were joint winners of the event.
Archie Laight completed ten reps on the log and took victory in the men’s novice.
Event three was Conan’s Wheel, a ‘big cannon-looking’ implement that competitors had to hook their arms around and carry for the longest distance without dropping.
Paula completed three full revolutions with 100kg, Katie completed two revolutions and five metres with 130kg, whilst Rob Griffiths ‘absolutely obliterated’ the competition with a 200kg Conan’s Wheel, which he completed four revolutions and five metres.
The men’s open was won by Connor, who completed two revolutions and six metres with 260kg.
Event four saw all categories going head-to-head with the sandbags. Competitors had one minute to pick up a sandbag and hold it on their shoulder momentarily before putting it back on the ground and repeating.
Emma Clarke took the event win in the women’s first timers, managing eight reps with a 40kg sandbag, Katie did nine with a 50kg sandbag and took the event win.
The 80kg sandbag in the men’s novice category saw Rob take victory with nine reps, Connor also completed nine and took the win with a 100kg sandbag.
Event five saw the return of what Charlie described as the ‘most thrilling event’, the max deadlift, where competitors have to pick up a barbell from the floor and complete the lift with their legs locked and shoulders locked back.
Emma was victorious in the women’s first timers event with a 145kg deadlift, whilst Shaleena Giles ‘ripped up’ a four-plate 180kg deadlift and took the win in the women’s category.
Josh Smart smashed a personal best with a 270kg deadlift in the men’s novice category.
Connor was the last man standing in the men’s division with a personal best deadlift of 320kg.
Katie Parry pressing a 25kg giant dumbbell (Image: EMMA_WILDING)
The event also had competitors competing in a max deadlift only category, which saw Kane Morgan ‘steal the show’ with a 380kg deadlift.
Charlie said: “Kane’s 380kg is probably the biggest deadlift to take place in the Wyre Forest since the 1980’s.
“Kane has already vouched to be back next year to have a go at 400kg and described the event as ‘an absolute great event where the atmosphere was perfect’.”
After a ‘gruelling’ event, in the men’s novice category, it came down to half a point for victory, Josh Smart just missed out on the win as Rob Griffiths won the competition.
According to Charlie, Rob Griffiths won the 2025 competition as a first timer and stepped up into the novice category this year, where he remains undefeated, taking his second title at Wyre Forest’s Strongest Man and Woman.
Paula Downes took victory in the women’s first-timers category and was ‘absolutely buzzing’ as
Katie Parry was crowned Wyre Forest’s Strongest Woman after winning 3 out of 5 events.
Connor Parsloe became Wyre Forest’s Strongest Man with a strong lead, being clear of second place by 7.5 points.
Runner-up was Stourport’s Zach Leavesley.
