Strongman says ‘I Do’ before national competition
A former University of Bradford student has undergone a different type of build-up to compete in this year’s England’s Strongest Man by getting married and going on honeymoon.
George Smith, 27, who studied BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Cyber Security at the University, is taking part in the televised strongman contest on Sunday 9 November, after he got married to fellow Bradford alumna, Kathryn Bradney, 26, who competes in strongwoman competitions herself, on Friday 10 October.
The power couple went on honeymoon to Japan and South Korea before he competes in Ultimate Strongman’s England’s Strongest Man, held at the Doncaster Dome from 14:00 to 17:00 on 9 November.
George, who is 6ft 2ins and weighs around 145kg (22 stone and 11.7lbs) when competing, will also represent England at the Extinct Games Invitational Singapore on November 29 and 30.
George Smith and Kathryn Bradney both graduated from the University of Bradford. Images credit: George Smith, University of Bradford and wedding photos from: throughtheglassphotography.co.uk
Training hard
George says he did some training in the gym while on honeymoon, where he also took part in a sumo wrestling match after his best man challenged a sumo wrestler on George’s behalf during a recent trip to Japan.
The couple also relocated from Bradford to Nottinghamshire, earlier this year.
George said: “Our wedding day was fantastic, we’re both really happy with how it turned out. I’m training hard for my upcoming competitions.
“It has been daunting, doing everything at once, especially for Kathryn as she’s now in a relatively unfamiliar part of the country too, but we’ve got through it.
“We don’t do things by halves. It has, of course, been stressful, but we’ve cracked on.
“We’ve had a lot of support from friends and family which has helped a lot. They say, ‘life would be boring if it was easy’, which is true but we’re ready to be bored for a bit.”
George Smith and Kathryn Bradney, who met as students at the University of Bradford, were married on October 10. Images credit: George Smith, University of Bradford and wedding photos from: throughtheglassphotography.co.uk
How they met
George and Kathryn met in a bar while students at University of Bradford, where the latter studied BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy from 2017 to 2020. George graduated the following year.
They were also members of the University’s Archery Club during their time at Bradford.
Power couple
George’s strongman training began when he became a member of Unique Fitness, the University of Bradford’s on campus gym and sports centre.
George says he used to watch World’s Strongest Man on television as a child and re-visited past competitions online during lockdown.
After the lockdown restrictions were lifted, he re-joined Unique Fitness and started doing more strongman-type weightlifting training, and in November 2022 signed up for his first competition in 2023, finishing fourth.
Kathryn supported George by taking part in a similar gym weightlifting training regime, entering the same novice competition the following year and ended up winning her category.
George has taken part in a host of strongman competitions over the last two years, finishing first in UK’s Strongest Novice, Mansfield’s Strongest Man, and Leeds Strongest, all last year. His 2025 accolades include winning King of the North (North England’s Strongest Man).
Kathryn’s strongwoman career accomplishments include finishing first in Implexus First Timers last year and second in Mansfield’s Strongest Woman 2025.
Similar goals
George added: “Ultimately, it’s a hobby, we usually spend just over two hours in the gym after work each night, so we’ll keep going for as long as we enjoy it.
“We’ve met some fantastic people through the gym, two of which were groomsmen at the wedding.
“My aim was to get to an England’s Strongest Man competition – which I’m doing so I need to work out my next aim. But overall, Kathryn and my goals have been similar – keep going as long as we enjoy it.”
George and Kathryn’s story reflects the University of Bradford’s strategy by showing how students are supported to grow both personally and professionally. Their journey highlights the value of community, wellbeing, and lifelong learning, key parts of the University’s vision.