Torbay woman crowned forces' strongest

Stubborn jars? No problem!

Paignton's own Corporal Paige Atwell has won the title of "Forces' Strongest Woman" in a recent military competition.

Paige, who teaches driving skills for the military, won the first-ever Forces Strongest contest in April 2025. Her impressive performance means she's now invited to compete in a big national championship in York on July 6.

"Doing strongwoman events has been a great fit with my military job," said Paige, who has been competing in these types of events for three years. "I'm proud to show what our Armed Forces women can do at the upcoming championship."

Paige is a huge supporter of women in sports. She's been key in changing things for military women, opening doors for them to get involved in both ice hockey and strongwoman competitions.

"We're seeing amazing talent when women get the chance to compete," Paige shared. "Breaking down barriers isn't just about what I achieve; it's about making it easier for others to follow."

Her dedication to women's sports is also clear in her work with military ice hockey. After a special training camp for women, she helped start the Army's first women's ice hockey team, called the Fury, in August 2023. She's currently both the team manager and an assistant captain.

In her day job, Paige teaches military personnel important driving skills for combat situations, like driving in convoys and camouflaging vehicles. She also trains commanders on how to use Land Rovers.

"What excites me most is seeing more women come forward to try these sports for the first time," Paige said. "Whether it's getting on the ice or lifting heavy stones, watching women discover how strong they are is what keeps me going."