SA Army Fittest Soldier Competition 2025, Strength, Endurance, and Unity in Action
- Karen Scheepers
- Sep 3
- 6 min read
The seventeenth edition of the South African Army Fittest Soldier Competition began this week, once again affirming its role as one of the most respected and demanding events in the country’s military calendar. Hosted by 4 Artillery Regiment with support from the South African Army Support Formation, the competition is taking place across two central venues: the 4 Artillery Regiment base and the Kopanelo Military Sports Club at Army Support Base Potchefstroom.
Spearheaded this year by the South African Army’s Artillery Formation, the competition attracts soldiers from across the nation, testing not just raw physical power but also endurance, mental toughness, and adaptability to battlefield-like conditions. Each year, it grows in scale and stature, serving as both a celebration of esprit de corps and a measure of operational readiness.
The Inspiring Information Briefing
On Sunday evening, 31 August 2025, the atmosphere at the 4 Artillery Regiment Mess was electric as participants gathered for the official information briefing. Soldiers arrived singing regimental chants, their voices echoing through the corridors and setting the tone for the week ahead.
Inside the mess hall, competition officials provided the timetable and outlined critical regulations, emphasizing discipline, safety, and the rigorous standards expected of every participant. Soldiers were reminded of base protocols, do’s and don’ts at venues, and the values guiding the competition. While technical in nature, the session was infused with camaraderie, as men and women from different units bonded in anticipation of the demanding days to come.
The briefing served as a reminder that the competition is not only about winning but also about showcasing the collective strength, resilience, and determination of the South African Army.
The Official Opening Parade
The competition officially commenced on the morning of Monday, 01 September 2025, with a spirited Opening Parade at the Kopanelo Military Sports Club. Soldiers stood tall in formation as Major General J.K. Thys, acting Deputy Chief of the South African Army, presided over the ceremony on behalf of Lieutenant General L.K. Mbatha.
In his address, Major General Thys underscored the essence of the competition: pushing beyond physical and mental limits while reflecting the Army’s dedication to readiness. “Today is about resilience, about pushing beyond limits to face the pain, embracing the struggle, and standing tall no matter what the obstacle,” he declared. He reminded participants that each step taken, regardless of finishing position, was a contribution to the Army’s mission and a reflection of its core values.
The ceremony concluded with a stirring martial dance performance by members of 121 South African Infantry Battalion from Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal. The parade was not only ceremonial but symbolic, binding participants together as they embarked on a week of intense challenges.
2.4km Run: Speed Meets Determination
Immediately following the parade, competitors faced their first major test: the 2.4km run, a standard measure within the South African National Defence Force Physical Training evaluation.
The men’s division kicked off first, with powerful strides pounding against the track as soldiers surged forward with determination. Shortly afterward, the women’s division took to the course, demonstrating the same intensity and resilience.
The start was signaled by the thunderous blast of the Ordnance Quick Firing GV1 25-pounder ceremonial gun, fired by Major General Thys. As dust rose from the track, soldiers pushed themselves past exhaustion, embodying the Army’s creed of grit and endurance. Spectators cheered loudly, adding to the atmosphere of unity and motivation.
The women’s race, dubbed the showcase for the “Lionesses of the Pride,” highlighted the role of female soldiers in proving that resilience knows no gender. With focus etched on their faces, they set an inspiring example for the days of competition to come.
Push-Ups and Sit-Ups: The Classic Test of Discipline
Later in the day, competitors faced one of the Army’s most familiar but formidable tests: push-ups and sit-ups. While seemingly simple, these exercises form the backbone of military fitness training, demanding consistency, form, and discipline.
In synchronized fashion, soldiers dropped to the ground, backs straight and cores braced, powering through repetitions under the watchful eyes of evaluators. For many, each rep became a battle of willpower, where gravity felt heavier with every count. Yet, the collective energy and determination carried participants through.
This component highlighted not just individual strength but also the shared experiences that unite soldiers, moments of grit where effort and perseverance matter as much as results.
Swimming Protocol: Guns Under Water
The competition then shifted to the pool, where soldiers faced the Swimming Protocol. Far from a leisurely exercise, this challenge required competitors to dive into the cold water, swim to the pool’s midpoint, retrieve a dummy rifle from the depths, and resurface with it in hand.
The exercise tested adaptability in unfamiliar environments, a vital skill in modern military operations. Underwater, comfort zones vanished, leaving only instinct, discipline, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Emerging with soaked uniforms and rifles held high, participants demonstrated not only physical stamina but also mental resilience.
The Bronco Test: Endurance Redefined
By the afternoon, attention turned to the Bronco Test, a grueling measure of aerobic capacity and recovery. Participants sprinted five 20-meter shuttles, totaling 100 meters, repeated every minute within set timeframes.
This trial pushed competitors into a relentless rhythm of speed and recovery, simulating the physical strain soldiers might face during real-world missions. Each shuttle run was a battle of lungs and legs, with exhaustion mounting as the minutes ticked by.
Spectators cheered as soldiers gave their all, embodying the Army’s relentless pursuit of readiness. By the end of the session, dust-covered and drenched in sweat, competitors walked away with a deeper sense of camaraderie, pride, and accomplishment.
Shuttle Runs Under the Sun
As the day drew to a close, the Kopanelo Military Sports Club track bore witness to one final test of the day: shuttle runs. The scorching Potchefstroom sun added intensity as soldiers pivoted sharply, dust swirling with every stride.
Here, fatigue became the true opponent. Yet, no one faltered. Every soldier pressed on, embodying the ethos of the South African Army, discipline, endurance, and the will to persevere in the face of adversity.
The Strongman Challenge
Heavy Loads, Heavy Demands
On Tuesday, 02 September 2025, the competition moved into its third day with the Strongman Challenge. Under the blazing North West sun, competitors confronted one of the most grueling tests of raw power and endurance.
The task seemed simple: lift a medicine ball, 30 kilograms for women and 50 kilograms for men, onto the flatbed of a truck, then roll it back to the ground, repeating the process within a timed window. But simplicity quickly gave way to strain, as every repetition demanded full-body coordination, tactical movement, and mental grit.
More Than Just Muscle
Unlike traditional weightlifting, the Strongman Challenge mirrored battlefield logistics, where soldiers must maneuver heavy loads under pressure. It demanded not only muscle but also control, endurance, and resilience, qualities indispensable to military readiness.
Drenched in sweat and covered in dust, competitors hoisted the medicine balls again and again, embodying the relentlessness of the Army spirit. The sight of soldiers summoning every ounce of energy drew admiration from onlookers, who witnessed not just an athletic contest but a living testament to resilience.
Symbol of the Army’s Ethos
The Strongman Challenge was more than a display of brute strength; it symbolized the South African Army’s ethos. In every lift, in every struggle against fatigue, the soldiers demonstrated the values of determination, teamwork, and preparedness that define their service.
Looking Ahead
With three demanding days completed, the South African Army Fittest Soldier Competition 2025 has already highlighted the best of the Pride of Lions. From endurance runs and swimming trials to the Bronco and Strongman challenges, competitors have endured heat, fatigue, and relentless pressure.
Yet, the competition is far from over. More challenges lie ahead, each designed to stretch the limits of body and mind, ensuring that only the most resilient and disciplined emerge at the top.
A Living Legacy of Resilience
As the third day drew to a close, the competition’s true essence was clear: it is not merely about crowning the fittest soldier but about affirming the resilience and readiness of the South African Army as a whole.
The seventeenth edition of the competition continues to build on a legacy where strength meets unity, and where every soldier, regardless of outcome, demonstrates the unbreakable spirit that defines service. In Potchefstroom, under sun and strain, that legacy grows stronger with every passing day.
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