From Rugby to Record-Breaker: How South Africa’s Rayno Nel Became the 2025 World’s Strongest Man
In a demanding showcase of physical power, mental grit, and unwavering determination, South African powerhouse Rayno Nel etched his name in the history books. He claimed the prestigious title of the World’s Strongest Man. After a weekend of relentless challenges, Rayno Nel emerged victorious by a razor-thin margin of just 0.5 points. He toppled reigning English champion Tom Stoltman.
The former Cheetahs rugby player, tipping the scales at 148kg, is now the first athlete from our country to clinch this global accolade. Rayno Nel’s remarkable journey to the top was no easy feat. It involved conquering a series of brutal qualifiers and finals that tested every aspect of his strength and stamina.
Conquering the Qualifiers
The opening two days saw Nel taking on a range of demanding events including a loading medley, a series of deadlifts, an overhead medley, the titan’s toss, and a stone medley. These were designed to test explosive power, endurance, and strategy. His solid performance in these rounds earned him a spot in the finals, where the true battle began for Rayno Nel.
Final Day 1 – Saturday
Knaack Carry and Hoist
Nel started the finals with an impressive display in the Knaack Carry and Hoist. This event involved transporting two heavily loaded boxes mounted on a pole across a set distance. Then, Rayno Nel raced back to hoist a third box while seated. Nel completed the task in just 30.58 seconds, setting a high standard early in the competition.
The Deadlift
This classic event was a trial of lower body and back strength, pushing each competitor to their threshold. Rayno Nel managed to lift 350kg for eight reps, placing second behind American Trey Mitchell, who completed 10 repetitions.
Hercules Hold
A true test of grip strength and pain tolerance, the Hercules Hold saw Nel gripping onto 700kg worth of concrete pillars for 75.63 seconds. Though he narrowly missed the top spot, finishing behind Australian Eddie Williams (82.14 seconds), Nel’s performance kept him within touching distance of the overall lead.
Final Day 2 – Sunday
Flinestone Barbell
Sunday brought one of Rayno Nel’s less dominant moments. Faced with a 246kg barbell for overhead presses, he could only manage one repetition. Meanwhile, Stoltman racked up six, significantly closing the points gap.
Atlas Stones
The final and most iconic event, the Atlas Stones, required competitors to lift and place a series of concrete spheres, each weighing 210kg. Nel managed four stones in 30.17 seconds, earning a third-place finish in this round. Stoltman completed five stones in 31.76 seconds. He claimed first in the event—but it wasn’t quite enough to overtake Rayno Nel’s overall lead.
Rayno Nel’s Historic Victory
Thanks to his strong performances on the opening day of the finals, Nel built a solid points foundation. Despite Stoltman’s late push, the South African strongman’s consistency paid off. With a narrow 0.5-point lead, Rayno Nel secured the overall title, marking a monumental moment for South African strength athletics.
Rayno Nel’s triumph is not only a personal victory but a national one. His achievement puts the country on the global strongman map, inspiring a new generation of athletes back home.
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