Being high calibre, lead-from-the-front types of guys we thought it a tad unfair to challenge our readers to prove their manliness without also placing our own balls squarely on the chopping board.

Step forward ZOO man James Ankobia. Assigned by colleagues to cash office banter cheques and prove the resolve and fitness he so often brags about.

Standing all of 5ft nothing, the gobby sports writer will take up the challenge as a ghost runner. Following the Commandos’ six-week training tool and attending British Military Fitness sessions, he will record his progress in a blog. Use him as a benchmark for your own bid or, more likely, just a target for considerable canning.

Profile
Profile
46th Place - 178 pts
Name
James Ankobia
Current position
46
Number of points
178 pts
Location
London
Date of Birth
17/06/1983
Team Player
Physical Details
5’ 7’’
Height
145 pounds
Weight
23.3
Body Mass Index
62 beats/min
Resting Heart Rate
14in
Bicep Circumference
20in
Thigh Circumference
32in
Waist
36in
Chest
 

Follow our diminutive runner’s progress throughout the weeks running up to the final

Also see below what happened when James went down to the Commando Training Centre in Devon for a sneak peak of what’s in-store for our 10 finalists when they compete in the BPT assault course and the endurance course.

Get fit for your fitness assessment by signing up to your local British Military Fitness classes. Beat the rest by training with former and serving members of the British armed forces, who know a thing or two about developing the state of mind and mental agility to motivate you.

Training Regime
This Week

I had my fitness heat over the weekend and I wasn’t too pleased with my scores. My bleep test levels and 1.5mile run times improved but my press ups and sit ups scores dropped drastically. The problem is during my training I was doing press ups and sit ups continuously but at the heat you do them to a bleep and trying to maintain that rhythm makes it all the more harder. Plus I forgot how painful doing all the drills one after the other is!
 
I was shattered for the whole weekend after my heat so I’m taking that as a sign that I’m still a long way away from the required fitness for my return trip to Commandos HQ. Hence the next few weeks look like press up drills and more British Military Fitness classes for me.

 
Marines Training Tool
Register now