Paul Wood’s 'obsession’ with strength has earned him numerous
national strongman titles.

But today he will make one more Herculean effort to retain his
status as the UK’s strongest man.

The 6ft 3in Whitstable window cleaner is in training for his
last ever competition and is determined to go out on a high
note.

But standing in his way at Whitstable Rugby Club this afternoon
will be 13 other strongmen and Paul knows it will be no
pushover.

His 'gym’ is unlike anything that Duncan Bannatyne would put his
name to.

Instead an old barn on a farm in Faversham, known as The Cell,
is filled with huge tractor tyres, a battered car, beer kegs, and
the familiar giant Atlas stones.

Paul, 40, of Cornwallis Circle, is competing in the under 105kg,
or 16.5 stone, class and says strongman training is particularly
hard in the body.

“I’ve torn muscles, broken fingers and put my back out - it
really is physically tough. There not a part of my body that
doesn’t hurt afterwards. I did a sprint triathalon recently and
it’s a lot harder than that,” he said.

When competing in the open class, Paul’s weight went up to more
than 19 stone, but he was uncomfortable with it and trimmed down to
the lower class.

But he is still considerably heavier than the 12 stone he used
to weigh as a young man before he got into strongman
training.

Now he is packing away 5,000 calories a day, twice the
recommended intake, during his gruelling training
sessions.

He said: “A friend was into it and I joined him weight training
in the gym. He was entering a novice competition and I thought I’d
have a go and managed to come sixth. After that I just became
obsessed with personal strength.”

Paul says that developing the best technique for lifting and
carrying the awkward equipment is crucial to success.

He said: “There are guys coming from all over the country and I
know they will be gunning for my title. But I’m not going to give
it up easily and will be putting in a massive effort. I’m fit,
injury free and ready for it. But anything can happen on the day
and it’s very easy to pick up an injury in competition.”

In the future, Paul plans to do more endurance activities and
get back into mountain biking which used to be his favourite
sport.

There will be nine challenges facing the competitors, including
the traditional Atlas stones, car pull, farmer’s walk and tractor
tyre flipping.

First prize is £300 and a sea kayak donated by Whitstable
Marine.

The UK Strongest Man 105kg finals competition starts at 12noon
at the rugby club in Reeves Way and spectators are welcome and can
watch for free.

Visit YouTube to see Paul in training.