Firefighter to compete for UK Strongman title

A firefighter is set to test his strength on the national stage after qualifying for a UK and Ireland Strongman final.

Jake Orr, from Portsmouth, will compete in the under-90kg category of Natural Strongman UK and Ireland's Strongest Man contest.

The drug-tested competition features athletes who have progressed through qualifiers and acts as a route to international championships.

Orr, who joined Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service in 2019, will take part in the event on Saturday 11 April at The Hangar in Wolverhampton.

He said: "I'm excited to be taking part in this elite event, where I will be up against some really tough competitors.

"I've had to work incredibly hard to qualify for this competition, but I know it will be a fantastic experience and well worth the long hours spent in the gym.

"To be a firefighter you need to be strong and resilient, and this led me towards discovering this passion."

Orr, also known as "Jake Velocity", added that his crewmates had been "really supportive and encouraging" in helping him prepare.

"They fully understand the focus and the drive that I have applied to this for the last few years," he said.

Colleagues from Cosham Blue Watch said they were "confident" he would perform well and wished him luck.

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