South African strongman Rayno Nel has officially been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, becoming the first person from South Africa—and the African continent—to win the title. His historic win came during his debut appearance in the global event, held in Sacramento, California.
Rayno Nel becomes the first South African to be named the world’s strongest man
Nel, 30, stunned the competition by defeating seasoned athletes including former champions Tom Stoltman and Mitchell Hooper. He maintained his top performance after winning his qualifying group and then sealed the title by dominating events such as the Knaack Carry & Hoist.
He also placed well in other challenges, including second in the Max Deadlift and Hercules Hold, third in the Atlas Stone, and fifth in the Flintstone Press Max. These events test various types of strength, including lifting very heavy stones, holding massive weights for time, and pressing giant barbells.
Despite the slow start, Nel’s overall consistency across events earned him the top spot in one of the world’s toughest athletic competitions. The World’s Strongest Man is not only about lifting the heaviest weights—it tests athletes’ balance, endurance, and ability to think clearly under pressure.
Social media erupted with praise after his win, with fans celebrating Nel’s achievement and calling him a true inspiration.
Here’s everything we know about Rayno Nel
Rayno Nel was born on 9 May 1995 and grew up in Krugersdorp, South Africa. Before he became a strongman, he was a rugby player and represented teams like the Central University of Technology and the Free State Cheetahs.
Nel only entered the world of strongman competitions in 2023 and quickly rose to fame. He won South Africa’s Strongest Man and Africa’s Strongest Man titles twice each and became the Strongman Champions League world champion.
His personal bests include lifting an 18-inch deadlift of 490kg, a log press of 150kg for seven reps, and setting a world record in natural stone loading. One of his standout moments came when he pulled a 16-tonne truck over 25 metres in just over 33 seconds.
Nel is more than just muscle—he also holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and works as an Electrical Engineer.
In a sport that demands more than just raw strength, Nel has proven himself to be mentally tough, disciplined, and incredibly focused.
After being given a wildcard entry to the 2025 World’s Strongest Man competition, he took full advantage of the opportunity and delivered a performance that made history.
His win is not just a personal achievement—it’s a milestone for South African and African sports, showing that with enough determination and hard work, anything is possible.
