Latest news with #StrongestMan
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cumbria's Strongest Man and Women show promises records and remarkable feats
The most powerful men and women in the county will take the stage in west Cumbria this weekend. The fourth annual Cumbria's Strongest Man and Woman show promises to see records broken and some remarkable feats of strength. The event on Saturday at Rivendell in Workington will involve top competitors from Cumbria and some from further afield. Those behind the 2025 show say an exciting day is in prospect. 'We've got an amazing line-up of competitors,' said Dave Straughton, one of the event's main organisers. 'I honestly think it'll be the best one we've ever had.' Competitors will take part in five events to test the formidable strength of the men and women involved. 'We've got the max deadlift, and we honestly think we'll see some Cumbria records get broken in that,' added Straughton. Top competitors on Saturday include, from left to right, last year's 105kg champion Connor Smith, open champion Karl Gorman, Molly Wagstaff and Daniel McNicholas (Image: Submitted) 'We've got an overhead medley, where they've got to press four implements overhead - an axle, a log, a monster one-arm dumbbell, and a natural stone block. 'The third event is the max throw – and the fourth event's really fun, because it's a mystery event. 'Outside of the promotional team, no-one knows what it is. And that'll get announced after event three, about 20 minutes before it starts. So, that will throw a cat amongst the pigeons. I absolutely cannot wait to see the faces of the athletes and the crowd when we announce what it is. 'And then we'll finish with the Cumberland Stones at the end, like we always do.' The competition will include an open class, a 105kg class and, for the second year, a female category. A number of national-level competitors will be stepping up. They will include Workington's Karl Gorman, who has twice been named Cumbria's Strongest Man and will compete in the 105kg class, and fellow west Cumbrian Dan McNicholas, who was the first winner of the title, and who has also qualified for England's Strongest Man as well as holding the county's deadlift record. He will be among the open class competitors. Connor Smith, who also trains in Workington and recently came second in Britain's Strongest Man at u90kg, will also compete – while the remarkable Mark Tonner, from Catterick, will also wow the crowd. The military veteran, who lost the use of an arm after a blast in Afghanistan, has won World Disabled Strongman titles. 'He's twice as strong as the average man with one arm,' Straughton said. 'He's a beast. 'He's got to have some specialised kit – such as, for the log press, a specialised one-armed log. 'As amazing as all the athletes are, I think Mark will probably steal the show.' A crowd of about 500 people is expected and there will be refreshments and a bar. 'It's a brilliant family day and the atmosphere is always great,' added Straughton. The action starts at 11am and is expected to run to 5pm. Tickets are still available via the Cumbrian Strongman Promotions Instagram page HERE, or on the door.
The South African
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
South African Rayno Nel makes history as 'World's Strongest Man'
South Africa has a new sporting hero. Rayno Nel, a 30-year-old former rugby player from Bloemfontein, has just been crowned the World's Strongest Man. This victory marks a historic first—not only for South Africa but for the entire African continent and the southern hemisphere. Nel's triumph in Sacramento stunned the strongman world. In his debut at the World's Strongest Man final, he edged out defending champion Tom Stoltman by a razor-thin margin of just 0.5 points. The final event, the legendary Atlas Stones, saw Nel load the fourth stone mere fractions of a second ahead of his rivals, according to Good Things Guy. This clutch performance sealed his victory with a final score of 47 to Stoltman's 46.5. Canada's Mitchell Hooper finished third with 43.5 points. Nel's journey to global dominance is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Upington and raised in the rugby heartland of Bloemfontein, he played rugby for the Central University of Technology and the Free State Cheetahs. After retiring from rugby in 2019 to work as an electrical engineer, Nel discovered strongman competitions in 2023. He quickly made his mark, winning South Africa's Strongest Man twice and claiming Africa's Strongest Man titles in 2023 and 2024. He also dominated the 2024 Strongman Champions League season, becoming the world series champion. At the 2025 World's Strongest Man finals, Nel wasted no time making his presence felt. On Day 1, he won the opening KNAACK Carry & Hoist and placed second in both the 18-inch deadlift and the Hercules Hold. These results gave him a commanding lead of roughly seven points going into Day 2. Although Stoltman fought back with wins in the later events, Nel's early cushion proved decisive. Nel said, 'To represent South Africa in any way whatsoever feels surreal. We're a small country with many struggles, so this means so much to my people.' He added with a smile, 'I couldn't enjoy my favourite Black Label lager here in California, so I'll have to try American beer tonight.' The reaction back home was electric. South Africans from Cape Town to Johannesburg flooded social media with pride. The official South African Government Twitter account congratulated Nel, tweeting: 'HISTORY MADE! Congratulations to Rayno Nel, Africa's first-ever World's Strongest Man champion!' Nel's win is more than just a personal achievement. It's a beacon of hope and a symbol of possibility for South Africa's 'rainbow nation.' He is proof that with determination and hard work, even the strongest titles in sport are within reach. Nel remains humble and hungry. 'My strength came up fast, and I'm still improving,' he said. South Africa can now celebrate not just a champion, but a legend in the making. The world has taken notice—and so has the whole of Mzansi. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Powerhouse from Krugersdorp named World's Strongest Man
Krugersdorp's very own Rayno Nel has done his country and community proud by securing a sweet victory at the recent World's Strongest Man competition held in California, United States of America. • Also read: Krugersdorp's Rayno crowned International Strongman What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Rayno has only been participating in the sport for two years, having previously been a rugby player. In June last year, South Africa hosted the Strongman Champions League for the first time, with the vision of someday seeing a South African reach the pinnacle of this sport. According to Rayno, for this to have happened so quickly was a welcome surprise. From his Varsity Cup days at the Central University of Technology to lifting the ultimate title in strength sports, Rayno's journey has been one of sheer resilience and national pride. His win serves as a reminder that greatness does not ask for permission; it announces itself. In his rookie season, Rayno boldly announced South Africa's presence in this global sport. Weighing an astonishing 147kg and standing at an impressive 1.9 metres tall, he has always had the physical presence of a strongman. Rayno confirmed that he only began competing in strongman competitions in 2023, when he emerged victorious in his first-ever showing at South Africa's Strongest Man. His impressive performances continued over the next couple of years, including winning the 2023 Africa's Strongest Man competition and finishing fourth at the Siberian Power Show last year. Winning the global competition on his first attempt cannot be understated, as he broke further records, including being the first man from outside Europe or North America to take the title in the competition's 48-year history. Before his rugby career, Rayno played for the Free State Cheetahs. He grew up in Upington and went on to study in Bloemfontein before moving to Krugersdorp to be closer to his fiancée. Rugby was what I thought I would do for my sports career. 'I didn't think I would do any sport ever again, but I always had this competitive side to me, so when I stopped playing rugby, I knew I needed to do something competitive. That's just who I am.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sacramento police arrest homicide suspect in Cincinnati
( — The Sacramento Police Department obtained a homicide arrest warrant for a 23-year-old, Kenneth Wade, from Citrus Heights on Monday after a woman was found dead in a home back in April. Wade was located and taken into custody in Cincinnati. He is set to be scheduled in Sacramento, where he will be booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail, SPD stated. Rayno Nel becomes first South African to win World's Strongest Man According to SPD, officers were called to an apartment on April 14 at around 7 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Street for dead body. SPD said, 'This arrest highlights the critical role of collaboration with our law enforcement partners.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
News24
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Former Cheetahs rugby player crowned World's Strongest Man
Rayno Nel, a former Cheetahs rugby player, has become the first African to win the World's Strongest Man title. Nel switched to strongman competitions in 2023 and won South Africa's Strongest Man event twice before claiming the global title as a rookie. The 30-year-old is over 1.9m tall and weighs 148kg. For more sports news, visit the News24 Sport homepage. Former Cheetahs rugby player Rayno Nel has made history by becoming the first African to win the prestigious World's Strongest Man title. The 30-year-old Nel ousted defending champion Tom Stoltman by half a point in the two-day final to claim the title in Sacramento, California on Sunday. It was also the first victory by a rookie at the event since 1997. Nel, who is 1.91m tall weighs 148kg, played loose forward for the Cheetahs and also captained CUT in the Varsity Cup for three seasons. 🥇🥈🥉 @SBDApparel | #WSM2025 — SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) May 19, 2025 'I'm just over the moon,' he told USA TODAY Sports. 'To represent (South Africa) in any way whatsoever, it feels surreal. I mean, we're a small country with a lot of struggles. To have something like this I know means a lot to my people.' 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Rayno Nel is your 2025 @SBDApparel World's Strongest Man 🇿🇦🏆🌎 #WSM2025 — SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) May 18, 2025 Nel switched to strongman competitions in 2023 and won South Africa's Strongest Man competition two years in a row. 'Rugby was what I thought I would do for my sport career. I didn't think I'd do any sport ever again. But I always had this competitive side to me, so when I stopped playing rugby, I knew I needed to do something competitive. That's just who I am,' he added. Nel works as an electrical engineer.
