Meet real-life Mr Muscle Daniel Bedford.

The 25-year-old from Skelmanthorpe can deadlift up to 275kgs, the equivalent weight of three average grown men combined.

Daniel, an engineer, has been selected to represent the UK for the Powerlifting World Championships which take place in Killeen in Texas, USA, in June.

The title is the world’s highest accolade for the sport, which has only just been recognised as an Olympic sport.

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But with five gym sessions a week and a daily calorie intake of up to 4,000 calories, Daniel has to live by a strict regime to compete.

“I eat eggs for breakfast, lean meat for lunch and evening meal, and snack on protein shakes and fruit”, Daniel said.

“I’m not trying to get any bigger or smaller, just stronger.”

Powerlifting is similar to weightlifting currently seen in the Olympics, except competitors do not lift the bars over their heads.

Instead, powerlifters like Daniel do deadlifts, which is simply picking up the bar, squats, and benchpresses. The sport means competitiors can lift a lot more weight.

Daniel has previously managed to deadlift 275kgs as well as squatting with 235kgs and benchpressing with 150 kgs on his back.

His gym, Top Bodies in Birkby, have been supporting Daniel with free membership and offering to raise money for his travel costs for the competition.

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He said: “I’ve always been very competitive so that’s why I enjoy powerlifting. I like pushing myself to be the best I can be.”

A former rugby player, Daniel has previously played for the Sheffield Eagles and the Rochdale Hornets, but quit last year due to an injury.

Since then he has been focusing on weights, competing in his first powerlifting competition in May.

“I’ve done a strongest man competition before in Liverpool where I went to university, but this is very different”, he added.

June’s championships will be attended by more than 20 countries, with eight people representing their country in each category, including men, women and juniors.