'Bangers and mash keep me on top form' Schoolteacher wins world fitness training challenge.

Byline: By ANNETTE MORGAN [e-mail]

BANGERS and mash and pints of Guinness aren't usually top of the menu for the World's Fittest Man.

But Warwickshire schoolteacher Hywel Davies is proof that a little bit of what you fancy does you good.

The 30-year-old has claimed the title of the World X Ultra-Fit Training Challenge.

The fitness fan doesn't believe in denying himself calorie-laden treats in moderation.

But whereas most people would pile on the pounds, Hywel's punishing exercise regime, which includes half an hour to an hour of training before work, as well as another two hours when classes have finished, ensures he stays in shape.

He said: "I do have a healthy diet but I don't go over the top. I do eat sausage and mash as well as drink Guinness.

"I think if you fancy fish and chips you should have them.

"I'll just train that bit harder the next day."

Hywel, who is single, works as a PE teacher at Harris High School in Harris Drive, Rugby.

He said his success has inspired some of his pupils to take up sport.

He said: "I think it shows that you can have a full-time job and do this as well.

"A lot of the older kids know what I do and take it for granted but some of the younger ones will ask me if it's true that I am the fittest man.

"They ask me what I am doing here and I say, because I want to teach at the best school."

Hywel is now preparing for his biggest challenge to date - the Ironman Triathlon competition, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon in less than nine hours in August.

His current record is nine hours and 18 minutes.

He said: "I have won fitness titles before but I have never done this.

"At the moment this is my biggest challenge."

Champ beat the odds to take title

SUPER-FIT Hywel first started competing professionally nine years ago but has been at the top of his game since 1997, since which time he has never been beaten in gym-based challenges.

HE broke his leg two years ago and was warned by doctors that he might never run again.

HE beat the odds after devising his own rehabilitation programme and went on to win a clutch of titles this year, including the World X Ultra-Fit Challenge, which took place in Bahrain.

TO take the title he had to complete gruelling challenges, including a 1.5 km cycle race, a 500-metre rowing race, 50 press ups, a 800m treadmill run uphill and 40 bench presses - all performed against the clock in blazing sunshine.

HYWEL was crowned the Fittest Man in Britain for three successive years between 1998 and 2000.

THE Iron Man's punishing training regime takes between two and a half hours and three hours a day.

HYWEL'S daily regime includes biking, rowing, running, hip flexors, press-ups, step-ups and stomach crunches.

CAPTION(S):

D23196_4. SUPER-FIT: Rugby schoolteacher Hywel Davies, aged 30, puts himself through a punishing daily fitness regime to stay on top form and (left) he says eating bangers and mash is part of his diet. Picture: MARK RADFORD