​ONE of Cheltenham’s firefighters has proved she is the toughest of the tough by triumphing at the World Firefighters Games in South Korea.

Her day job usually involves keeping the people of Cheltenham safe from dangerous blazes, but Suzanne Enghed has beaten competitors from across the globe to grab the title of World’s Toughest Firefighter.

The 31-year-old, of Lansdown Road, arrived back in the town yesterday after spending nine days at the World Firefighters’ Games in South Korea.

Suzanne said: “It’s a great feeling because I have never entered the competition before and two years ago, when I watched the event in Liverpool, I said to myself I will never be able do it.

“But I decided that I was going such a long way this year and I’m really, really pleased to have won the medal.”

To take gold and the World’s Toughest Firefighter title Suzanne beat the women’s field over a tough four-section assault course in the city of Daegu.

The final challenge was a gruelling 110m run up the steps of a steep tower.

Other challenges included racing with a human-sized doll over her shoulder, as well as several firefighter drills.

The Swedish singleton, who has been a firefighter for six years, said she was looking forward to getting back to see her colleagues at Gloucestershire fire and rescue service’s Keynsham Road base.

She said: “I don’t know what they will say, but I hope they’ll give me a good welcome back.

“Until I went away they were having a lot of fun while I practiced unfurling a hose over and over again, as well as all the other drills, while they were eating their dinner.

“They all laughed a lot about it, but all the hard work has paid off.”

To add to her achievement, Suzanne also bagged medals in the sports tournaments of the games.

She won gold in the beach volleyball and tennis doubles masters’ section, silver in the regular tennis doubles and bronze in the tennis singles competition.

But rather than winning prestigious awards, serving the public has always been Suzanne’s aim.

She started her career as a part-time firefighter in Winchcombe.

Two years later she secured her dream career in the service.

She said: “I always wanted to do something to help people, whether it was what I do now, or becoming a police officer or paramedic.

“It’s nice to win awards like this, but it’s nicer to know you’re helping your community.”

Colleague Kevin Nelson said: “We’re all extremely proud of Suzanne. It is a fantastic achievement. She spent hours of her downtime training and she really deserved to win.”