A FORMER Luctonians rugby star has finished in the top 10 in Europe's biggest CrossFit competition.

Jeremy Wheadon received a late invitation to take part in the event at The Copper Box in London's Olympic Park and claimed ninth place out of 30 competing athletes.

It was the first time he had taken part in a CrossFit competition.

CrossFit is a way of training, using specifically designed workouts to promote strength, stamina, speed, mobility and coordination along with pretty much all aspects of fitness.

Workouts include functional movements to improve aerobic and anaerobic endurance whilst incorporating weight lifting and gymnastic movements into the programme.

Crossfit competitions aim to find the fittest of the fit over all the disciplines and components.

Wheadon, who is the owner and coach of CrossFit Bull in Hereford, had been intending to attend the London event as a spectator after missing out in the online qualifying competition but received an email early in January inviting him to compete.

After day one of the competition, which he had begun with little expectation of success, he was in 13th place.

He continued in excellent form on the second day and worked his way up to eighth place to earn a spot in the semi-final.

A creditable display in the final workout saw him drop back just one place to an excellent ninth overall in Europe.

Anyone wishing to know more about CrossFit or to join a class should visit www.crossfitbull.co.uk.