A HEREFORD teacher has won the coveted title of Strongest Disabled Man 2023.

Aaron Rees, a teacher from the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), emerged victorious after claiming second place at England’s Strongest Man earlier this year.

Rees has worked at its Hereford Campus for 16 years despite facing the challenges of Retinitis Pigmentosa.

The teacher continues to prove that visual impairment doesn’t hold him back and won the national competition after just turning 40 years old. now winner of a national competition, all just as he turned 40 years of age. Aaron has shown that strength has no boundaries.

The competition, held in Chard, Somerset, featured a series of challenging events that tested the participants’ physical prowess.

The panel of judges included Matt Dimond, Wales’ Strongest Man and Magnús Ver Magnússon, four-time World’s Strongest Man, ensuring a fair and competitive environment throughout the event.

Rees showcased exceptional strength and resilience to secure victory and was privileged to pick up the trophy from the Icelandic legend Magnús Ver Magnússon.

“I was so pleased that the hard work paid off, I was very disciplined leading up to the competition and after coming second in the England’s Strongest competition I put a specific plan in place on how to improve on my weaknesses,” Rees said after taking victory.

“The competition was gruelling and was even more difficult due to being unwell and the event weights being higher than previous competitions.

“However, I persevered and still managed to win. It was great to share this news with my students and show them what can be achieved from being disciplined and putting in hard work.

“I have now qualified for the Magnus Adaptive Games 2024 along with the World’s Strongest Adaptive Games 2024, so I’m going to have to up my performance to achieve the highest level possible in the sport of adaptive strongman.”