Little-known former rugby star Rayno Nel, 30, makes history as he wins World's Strongest Man in FIRST YEAR competing
FORMER rugby player Rayno Nel won World's Strongest Man on his debut in the competition.
Nel, 30, managed to get the job done despite a slow start on Sunday in Sacramento, California.
3
Former rugby player Rayno Nel won World's Strongest Man on his debut
3
Nel made history as he became the first contestant from Africa to win World's Strongest Man
3
Nel maintained his supremacy in the final after winning his group in the Qualifying Stage
The strongman made history as he became the first contestant from Africa to win in his first year.
The South African maintained his supremacy in the final after winning his group in the Qualifying Stage.
Nel prevailed in the Knaack Carry & Hoist as he finished first in the division.
He also finished second in the 18th Max Deadlift and Hercules Hold.
Read More on Rugby
Nel snatched third place in the Atlas Stone and finished fifth in the Flintstone Press Max.
His performance led to immense praise from fans worldwide on social media.
One supporter tweeted: "What a performance."
Another commented: "Seriously impressive."
Most read in Rugby Union
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
A third wrote: "Well done Rayno."
This fan said: "Awesome job."
And that one stated: "Fantastic! Congratulations!"
Nel started
his career at rugby playing for the
Central University of Technology
and
Free State Cheetahs in South Africa before moving to strongman in 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Leinster power past Glasgow to book URC final date against the Bulls at Croke Park
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is excited by the prospect of finishing out the season at Croke Park next weekend. That's after the Irish province overcame their recent United Rugby Championship semi-final hoodoo in clinical fashion at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Advertisement 2 Dan Sheehan and Jamie Osbourne bagged brace each in Leinster URC semi-final win over Glasgow in Dublin 2 Leinster now play the Bulls in the decider next weekend at Croke Park Playing in front of 15,762 spectators at the sparsely-populated Ballsbridge venue – a slight improvement on the 12,879 that attended their quarter-final win over Scarlets in the Aviva last weekend. Leo Cullen's side produced an accomplished display to defeat title holders Glasgow Warriors by 18 points and ease into next Saturday's showpiece in Croker. They will play the Bulls who saw off the Sharks 25-13 in today's all-South African semi-final. The Bulls got the better of Leinster at the penultimate phase of last season's URC – their third consecutive defeat at that stage of the competition – at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Advertisement read more on rugby But 2024/25 has now seen the Blues going at least one step further in their pursuit for top league honours. Speaking after today's win, Leo Cullen is relishing another trip back to Croke Park for Saturday's final. He said: 'Particularly when you're in South Africa, I'm pinching myself really in those stadiums. You do pinch yourself a little bit. "Personally I have so much respect for those teams. We were in South Africa last year for a semi-final, obviously lost in Loftus. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union "It's not a great place to end the season. There's joy for us in the fact that we have another week together. It's great,' 'There are some great characters in the group that have been around a long, long time. Have been great servants to the club. I know every club will have their version of that as well. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' 'It's making sure we have a great week now and get excited about putting on another performance. Show what it means to play for Leinster and show what it means to represent the province.' In an explosive start to the contest, Leinster and their Scottish counterparts both crossed over for tries inside the opening five minutes. Advertisement After Dan Sheehan dotted down in the third minute at the end of an elongated attack that was kick-started by Sam Prendergast booting an early penalty to touch. Glasgow immediately fired back as scrum-half George Horne bagged a five-pointer via a delicate chip into the '22' from Kyle Rowe. The fact that Horne couldn't match Prendergast in registering a successful conversion during these early exchanges ensured the hosts remained in a slender lead. And their cushion was extended to five points when Prendergast knocked over a routine penalty on 23 minutes. Advertisement The visitors were handed a reprieve after a Jamie Osborne try was retrospectively ruled out for a forward pass from Jamison Gibson-Park. But the Leinster outside centre eventually got his name on the scoresheet when a James Lowe offload released him for a 28th minute score in the left-corner. The eastern province were becoming more assured in their play as the action wore on and with Thomas Clarkson touching down in advance of front-row partner Sheehan claiming his second try of the half, they brought a commanding 25-5 buffer into the interval. Prendergast had been off-target with three of his four conversion attempts in the opening period and while he opted for a kickable penalty inside the opposition '22' at a right-hand angle 11 minutes into the second half. Advertisement His effort rebounded off the post and into the grateful arms of the Glasgow defence. Yet this wasn't a major concern for Leinster on the day and Cullen's men proceeded to place the outcome beyond any doubt in the third-quarter. Supplementing another Osborne try on 54 minutes – this time off an elaborate Gibson-Park pass – replacement back Ciaran Frawley got in on the scoring act with a simple five-pointer just shy of the hour mark. Glasgow eventually responded with impressive solo tries from Jamie Dobie and Sione Tuipulotu in the 72nd and 79th minutes respectively. Advertisement But despite not adding to their account in the closing quarter, Leinster comfortably advanced into next weekend's showdown at the home of the GAA. LEINSTER 37 GLASGOW WARRIORS 19 Scorers: Leinster: Tries: D Sheehan 2, J Osborne 2, T Clarkson, C Frawley. Cons: S Prendergast 2. Pens: S Prendergast. Glasgow Warriors: Tries: G Horne, J Dobie, S Tuipulotu. Cons: T Jordan 2. Leinster: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett (C Frawley 56), J Lowe; S Prendergast (R Byrne 61), J Gibson-Park (L McGrath 70); A Porter (J Boyle 59), D Sheehan (R Kelleher 56), T Clarkson (R Slimani 56); J McCarthy, J Ryan (RG Snyman 56); R Baird, S Penny, J Conan (M Deegan 64). Advertisement Glasgow Warriors: J McKay; K Steyn, S Tuipulotu, T Jordan, K Rowe; A Hastings (S McDowall h-t), G Horne (J Dobie 52); J Bhatti (R Sutherland 45), G Hiddleston (J Matthews 45), F Richardson (S Talakai 45); A Samuel (M Williamson 45), S Cummings; E Ferrie (J Mann 73), R Darge, H Venter (M Duncan 59). Referee: A Piardi (FIR).
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Leinster always have a point to prove says Leo Cullen after URC semi-final win
Leo Cullen says that Leinster feel that they have a point to prove by lifting the URC trophy at Croke Park next Saturday. The Blues will face the Bulls or Sharks at GAA HQ in the decider after blowing defending champions Glasgow Warriors away at the Aviva Stadium in yesterday's semi-final. Leinster scored six tries in a 32-19 victory and will only have to cross the Liffey for their first final in the competition in four years. 'We always feel like we have a point to prove," said Cullen, after both he and his players copped plenty of flak for losing their Champions Cup semi-final to Northampton and for displays since then. "Certainly I do anyway, because that's just the nature of the job I'm in and the team are in a pretty similar situation. So, listen, we would love to go out and win every week. 'What have we played this season now? Eighteen regular season games and two knockout games, four pool Champions Cup games and three knockouts. What's that, 27 games, next week we get to play a 28th - a perfect season you get to play 29. 'We will get to play 28, we have lost three. Every week you play you feel like you have a point to prove. I don't think it's hugely different, to be honest.' Cullen said it is "unbelievable" that the province will face South African opposition in the final for the first time, after losing away to the Bulls in last season's semi-final "I find I am pinching myself when I'm in South Africa in those stadiums which as a kid watching rugby you (saw on TV)," he said. "Personally I have so much respect for those teams. We lost the semi-final in Loftus last year and it's not a great place to end a season. 'There is joy for us in the fact that we have another week together. There are some great characters in the group that have been around a long, long time and have been great servants for the club. 'It's making sure we have a great week now and get excited about putting on another performance, showing what it means to play for Leinster and to represent the province. 'Can they play their best every week? Listen, they're not robots. There is an opposition that is fully motivated as well. It's about dusting ourselves off now, it was a very physical game and I'm sure the other one will be too. 'We don't have to travel too far for the final, thankfully. We need to make that count in how we go about preparing because that's a bit that we can control. There are other bits that we can't control, unfortunately.'
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
Leinster make a statement with dominant semi-final defeat of Glasgow
Leinster 37 Glasgow Warriors 19 LEINSTER REDISCOVERED ALL the qualities they had been missing over the last few weeks as the province put Glasgow to the sword and booked their place in next weekend's URC final with an utterly dominant semi-final win in Dublin. This 37-19 defeat of the Warriors in front of over 15,000 supporters at Aviva Stadium means the province can look forward to a Croke Park date with the winners of today's second semi-final meeting of the Bulls and the Sharks, which will kick-off at 5pm next Saturday. Leo Cullen's men had looked a shadow of themselves across the closing rounds of the URC and during last weekend's unconvincing quarter-final win over Scarlets as the pain of their harrowing Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints lingered, but Leinster burst back into life here to reach the URC final for the first time. The province will expect a stern test against South African opposition next week but look well placed to land a first trophy in four years. The six tries came from Dan Sheehan, Jamie Osborne – who both scored twice – Thomas Clarkson and Ciarán Frawley, and by half time the province already had one foot in the final, building a strong 25-5 lead. Sheehan was outstanding on his return to the starting team, with Osborne, Tommy O'Brien, Ryan Baird and James Lowe also thriving as Leinster feasted on long periods of front-foot ball, while the Leinster pack bullied their opponents from start to finish. Glasgow, the defending champions, will be bitterly disappointed not to have caused their hosts more problems, as Franco Smith's side fell flat in suffering their third defeat at this stadium this year – two late tries somewhat skewing the scoreboard. Sheehan got the scoreboard moving for Leinster in just the second minute. Glasgow initially did well to put the brakes on a Leinster maul, but the province remained patient and accurate before a sharp Jamison Gibson-Park pass sent Sheehan through, with Sam Prendergast tapping over the conversion. The score didn't knock Glasgow and the visitors struck just three minutes later on their first attack of the game. After moving the ball wide, Kyle Rowe kicked ahead and George Horne went in pursuit, getting to the ball before any chasing Leinster defenders to score. Horne then stood over the conversion but was off target. Leinster's Andrew Porter, Jack Conan and James Ryan wrap up a Glasgow player. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO That was as good as it got for Glasgow in the opening 40 as Leinster ripped them apart with an accurate and aggressive display. Fifteen minutes in, Sheehan threw a lineout long out the back to Jordie Barrett, who was soon gobbled up. Leinster kept possession and moved the ball into a more central position as they inched forward, Scott Penny eventually scampering through to score. However the try was crossed off with James Lowe ahead of the ball-carrier as he collided with Scott Cummings, the coming together sparking some strong words and shoving between both teams. Lighting Lowe's fuse would be one of many errors Glasgow would come to regret. At the end of the first quarter the rain pelted down, with Prendergast sending a series of contestable kicks into the skies for Osborne to chase. Advertisement Building pressure with little return, Prendergast knocked over another three points when a penalty call fell their way. The game was being played exclusively in Glasgow's half, and a rare period of Glasgow possession saw Leinster turn defence into attack. Tommy O'Brien and Adam Hastings chase the ball. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Sione Tuipulotu, who was struggling to influence the game, lost the ball in contact and Leinster were off. Tommy O'Brien kicked and chased alongside Glasgow out-half Adam Hastings. Leinster kept the ball and Gibson-Park fed Osborne, who had the wheels to pull away from Kyle Rowe and Euan Ferrie. It looked a clinical Leinster try, but was crossed off on TMO review with Gibson-Park's pass to Osborne forward. Two minutes later Osborne had his try. Lowe jumped to bat a high ball back to Jimmy O'Brien and Leinster went flying forward in numbers – Gibson-Park moved the ball on, Barret flashed quick hands before Jimmy O'Brien did the same and Lowe's wonderful pass out the back left Osborne racing for the line. No doubt about that one, but Prendergast pulled the conversion wide. Leinster were humming now and five minutes later they had their third, Thomas Clarkson muscling over after Leinster turned down a kickable three to go to the corner. Again, Prendergast couldn't convert. Leinster kept pounding away, looking to end the contest before it ever really got going. Ryan Baird peeled wide and tried to hit Lowe, but the pass was spilled, triggering another heated exchange. With the last play of the half Leinster bagged their fourth, mauling forward as Sheehan drove through for his second of the game. Prendergast's kicking remained off, signing off for the half with just one successful conversion from four attempts. With the province 20 points up at the break, it was unlikely his team would be made pay the price. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Upon the resumption Leinster kept the foot down. Barrett rumbled over but knocked-on as he tried to ground the ball through two tacklers. Prendergast smacked a penalty off the post. The fifth try finally came when Gibson-Park fired another razor-sharp pass into Osborne's hands, allowing Prendergast improve his success rate with a simple conversion. Approaching the hour the home side were over again through a lovely flowing move. Lowe did well to win possession in the air before a purposeful carry along the wing. The attack threatened to break down but Leinster swung the ball coast-to-coast, with Prendergast and Penny both involved before Conan found Tommy O'Brien, who did well to keep the ball and feed Ciarán Frawley, a popular try-scorer just minutes after entering the action. Prendergast missed another effort off the tee, and was soon replaced by Ross Byrne, playing his last game at the Aviva in Leinster blue. Ciarán Frawley dives over. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO As the game fizzled out Jamie Dobie ended Glasgow's long wait for some points with a 72nd-minute try, converted by Tom Jordan, before Tuipulotu added a third, holding off Frawley's tackle to score, as a strong hail shower battered Dublin 4. At that point everyone involved was happy to wrap it up, although a good number of Leinster fans stayed back in the rain to sound their appreciation for a strong, determined effort from their team. This was more like it. Leinster scorers: Tries – Sheehan [2], Osborne [2], Clarkson, Frawley Penalty – Prendergast [1/2] Conversions – Prendergast [2/6] Glasgow scorers: Tries – Horne, Dobie, Tuipulotu. Conversions – Horne [0/1], Jordan [2/2] LEINSTER: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett (Ciarán Frawley, 56), , James Lowe; Sam Prendergast (Ross Byrne, 60), Jamison Gibson-Park (Luke McGrath, 69); Andrew Porter (, 58), Dan Sheehan (Rónan Kelleher, 56), Thomas Clarkson (Rabah Slimani, 56); Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (RG Snyman, 56); Ryan Baird, Scott Penny, Jack Conan (capt) (Max Deegan, 63). GLASGOW: Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (capt), Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe, Adam Hastings (Stafford McDowall, HT), George Horne (Jamie Dobie, 52); Jamie Bhatti (Rory Sutherland, 44), Gregor Hiddleston (Johnny Matthews, 44), Fin Richardson (Sam Talakai, 44); Alex Samuel (Max Williamson, 44), Scott Cummings; Euan Ferrie (Jack Mann, 72), Rory Darge, Henco Venter (Macenzzie Duncan, 59). Referee: Andrea Piardi [FIR] Attendance: 15,762
