Rayno Nel has etched his name into strongman history by winning the 48th edition of the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) competition, held from May 15–18 in Sacramento, California. The event brought together 25 of the world’s elite strongmen, all vying for a spot in the prestigious final ten. Over four grueling days, Nel delivered a dominant performance to claim his first WSM championship—and in historic fashion.
A Historic Victory
Nel’s triumph is nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did he defeat three-time and reigning champion Tom Stoltman and 2023 winner Mitchell Hooper, but he also became:
- The first man to win WSM on debut since Jouko Ahola in 1997
- The first South African to ever win the title
Stoltman and Hooper joined him on the podium, earning silver and bronze respectively, after a fierce showdown in the finals.
Final Standings – 2025 World’s Strongest Man
- Rayno Nel
- Tom Stoltman
- Mitchell Hooper
- Trey Mitchell
- Paddy Haynes
- Ondrej Fojtu
- Shane Flowers
- Pavlo Kordiyaka
- Luke Stoltman
- Eddie Williams
The Road to Glory
Nel started his campaign in Group Three of the qualifying heats, alongside Shane Flowers, Lucas Hatton, Evans Nana Aryee, and Mateusz Kieliszkowski, a pre-event favorite. However, Kieliszkowski was forced to withdraw before the final event due to flu-like symptoms.
Despite being relatively unknown and considered a long shot, Nel swept through all five events in his group, advancing to the finals with Flowers, who finished second.
Finals Format Shake-Up
This year’s WSM finals came with major changes:
- No rest day between qualifying and finals
- A new scoring system based on athletes’ performances in the qualifying round
Hooper led heading into the finals, with Stoltman second and Nel third. But Nel wasted no time making his mark.
Event-by-Event Breakdown
- Carry and Hoist: Nel set the tone by winning the opening event, beating Stoltman by nearly four seconds and pulling into a three-way tie for first.
- 18-Inch Max Deadlift: Trey Mitchell took the win with a massive 500kg pull, but Nel stayed close in second, gaining ground on Hooper and Stoltman.
- Hercules Hold: Another second-place finish for Nel kept him in the overall lead after Day One.
Championship day started with the Flintstone Press Max, where Nel struggled, finishing eighth. Stoltman won the event and narrowed the points gap. But in the final event—the iconic Atlas Stones—Nel lifted four stones in just over 30 seconds, sealing the title.
Stoltman completed all five stones in 31 seconds to win the event but had to settle for second overall, with Hooper slipping to third.
What’s Next?
Nel’s victory has shaken up the strongman world. While many celebrate his meteoric rise, questions remain about how the competition might’ve unfolded if Evan Singleton—who placed third in 2024—had not torn his biceps during qualifying. Fans are hopeful Singleton will return strong in 2026 to challenge this new powerhouse.
