SOLDIERS battled it out against each other for sporting supremacy.

16 Air Assault Brigade held its annual Festival of Sports at Merville Barracks, Colchester with troops competing in football, British Army Warrior Fitness, an assault course and stretcher race, volleyball, strongest man and an aquathon combining a 400m swim followed by a 1.5-mile run carrying a 36lb rucksack.

Victories in the aquathon, strongest man and BAWF competitions meant 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment were the overall winners of the Pegasus Cup.

3 PARA’s team captain Corporal Darren Little said: “It’s brilliant to win the overall competition and the sporting bragging rights for the year.

"All the units put their best effort in and it was a tough competition, but as 3 PARA we pulled together and grafted across all the sports to win.”

Presenting the Pegasus Cup to Cpl Little, 3 PARA’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Mark Swann praised the “competitiveness, determination and courage” shown by all participants.

“As soldiers we compete in the toughest arena of all, the battlefield, and it is great to see the effort you have all invested in today’s sports and the enjoyment you have got from it,” he said.

Competition organiser Staff Sergeant Ben Davies said: “This competition has provided an excellent opportunity for our men and women to showcase their fitness and sporting prowess.

"We’ve seen fierce but fair competition that’s brought everyone out of a busy working routine to enjoy doing something different together and build their team spirit.”