Britain's strongest man marries world's strongest woman to become ultimate power couple

Britain's strongest man and woman have tied the knot - bringing a new meaning to the term 'power couple'.

Paul and Shannon Smith, 28 and 29, have both held the titles of England's Strongest Man and Woman multiple times.

The couple, from Oldham, Manchester, met at a gym in 2017 and starting dating two years later. Paul popped the question in August last year and the couple tied the knot just over a year later in Cyprus.

They're now set to jet off on their honeymoon to Thailand and are hoping to try for a baby next year.

Paul, who weighs 130kg and can deadlift 380kg, holds the title of UK’s Strongest Man and is due to compete in Britain’s Strongest Man in 2023.

His wife, who weighs 64kg and can deadlift 222kg, won the title of World’s Strongest Woman in 2021 and is hoping to compete again in 2024.

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She said: "Paul’s got lots of competitions next year - I’m just training and not competing as we’re hoping to try for a baby soon.

"I was last year's World’s Strongest Woman in my weight class and hopefully I’ll come back to take the title in 2024.

"We help coach each other and help each other out – it feels like a normal part of our relationship."

The pair both hold a number of national titles alongside being UK and World competition winners – with Paul crowned England’s Strongest Man four times and Shannon holding the title of England’s Strongest Woman twice.

Paul also holds a world record for 10 lifts of the heaviest dumbbell.

They both run their own businesses, with Shannon working as a nutritionist and Paul providing strongman coaching as well as being a professional strongman.

Paul said: "It's great to have Shannon around in the gym, training and at competitions - it's great that she can support me and I can support her.

"We really understand where the other one is coming from and having that kind of help is invaluable."

A spokesperson for Ultimate Strongman said: "Ultimate Strongman are extremely fond of the UKs strongest couple Paul and Shannon Smith.

"Paul has been with us since he was a junior so he’s grown up with us and we couldn’t be happier for them.

"They will both compete at next years UK's Strongest Man with a special pre show 'The UKs Strongest Woman' at the Motorpoint arena in Nottingham.

"It’s always such a pleasure to work with them both and watch them do what they do best.

"We imagine they are quickly running out of trophy space!"