Tulsa Soldier Earns Iron Dragon Trophy

A Tulsa man serving his country overseas earned the "Iron Dragon" trophy in a fitness competition this weekend. Second Lieutenant Shawn Dolan scored in the top 25 percent of competitors, claiming the right to call himself an Iron Dragon.

It was the first time the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division has held the competition in Afghanistan.

Dolan said the country's higher elevation added to the challenge of the contest.

"The Iron Dragon consisted of 80 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, 20 dips and 10 pull-ups, back to back and graded pretty strictly," Dolan said.

The push-ups knocked out most of the competitors, he said.

The Iron Dragon, originally created by Colonel Henry Arnold of the Dragon Brigade, promotes physical excellence and encourages soldiers to push themselves - and each other - to maintain a high level of fitness, according to an Army news release.

"Glad I'm an Iron Dragon," 2nd Lieutenant Shawn Dolan said, hoisting the trophy.