SA’s Rayno Nel wins World’s Strongest Man title!
Rayno Nel just made history as Africa’s FIRST EVER World’s Strongest Man!
For the first time in 48 years of the gruelling, bone-crunching, boulder-lifting competition; the World’s Strongest Man trophy is heading to Africa.
Not just anywhere in Africa though, it’s coming home to South Africa, baby!
Rayno Nel, a former rugby player turned iron-clad strongman, pulled off a jaw-dropping, muscle-popping, history-making victory at the 2025 World’s Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, California.
Not only is he the first African ever to claim the title, but he also did it on his debut appearance.
The last time a rookie won this thing, Titanic was still in cinemas. 1997. Let that sink in.
“I’m just over the moon,” Nel told USA TODAY Sports after the final event, still catching his breath, probably with a boulder in one hand.
“To represent South Africa in any way whatsoever, it feels surreal. We’re a small country with a lot of struggles, so something like this means a lot to my people.”
Trust us, Mzansi is celebrating this one like we just won another Rugby World Cup.
How he did it
The World’s Strongest Man isn’t your average gym bro contest.
This is a savage series of events designed to test everything from brute force to sheer willpower.
Points are awarded per event, and the top dog is crowned after multiple rounds of mayhem.
Nel came out firing from day one of the finals, never finishing lower than second place in the first three events.
That early lead was vital, because lurking ahead were two of his trickiest challenges:
The Flintstone Barbell (yes, like The Flintstones… but heavier), a 240 kg overhead press
The legendary Atlas Stones where you lift and stack boulders weighing between 140 and 208 kg’s like you’re redecorating Mount Olympus.
In a nail-biter of a finish, Nel placed third in the final Atlas Stones event, just enough to hold off strongman legend Tom Stoltman by a mere half a point.
HALF. A. POINT. That’s the sporting equivalent of a photo finish in a footrace, except the guys are the size of small delivery trucks.
What makes Nel’s story even more inspiring is how recent his strongman journey is.
Just three years ago, he was hanging up his rugby boots, thinking his days of elite sport were done.
“I always had this competitive side to me,” he admitted. “When I stopped playing rugby, I knew I needed something else. That’s just who I am.”
Turns out “something else” was tossing barrels, flipping cars, and lifting stones heavier than your uncle’s Toyota Hilux.
Despite winning a few continental strongman contests before, Nel confessed that stepping into the World’s Strongest Man arena was an entirely different beast.
Out of 25 of the planet’s strongest blokes, he’d only competed against one before. Nerves? Sure. Mistakes? A couple.
In the end though, pure grit, heart, and a dash of South African stubbornness got him over the line.
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So how does Africa’s first-ever World’s Strongest Man celebrate making history?
No champagne showers. No press conference party. Just a cold beer with his family.
“I’d love a Black Label, but I don’t think I’ll find one here,” Nel laughed. Man’s got his priorities.
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Credit to USA TODAY Sports for the post-win chat.
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