19-05-2025
South African Rayno Nel becomes first African to win World's Strongest Man title
South African Rayno Nel becomes first African to win World's Strongest Man title
Former Central University of Technology (CUT) and Cheetahs loose forward Rayno Nel made history by becoming the first African to win the World's Strongest Man competition, which took place in Sacramento in California in the US from May 15 to 18.
The 30-year-old, 148kg South African edged defending champion Tom Stoltman by just half a point in the two-day final to claim the title in Sacramento, California.
It was the first victory by a rookie at the event since 1997.
'To represent [South Africa] in any way whatsoever, it feels surreal,' Nel told USA Today. 'We're a small country with a lot of struggles. To have something like this, I know, means a lot to my people.'
When asked how he would celebrate, Nel – who drinks Black Label – joked: 'I'll try American beer tonight.'
Nel captained CUT in three successive Varsity Cup campaigns, before being called up by the Cheetahs.
He only took up strongman training properly in 2022.
The post Former Cheetah crowned World's Strongest Man appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
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