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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!
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Gayton McKenzie congratulates Rayno Nel on World's Strongest Man win
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has congratulated Rayno Nel for becoming the first African win the prestigious World's Strongest Man title. 'South Africa is beaming with pride as the rookie competitor made history on the global stage over the weekend in Sacramento, United States of America. It was not just a personal victory, but a continental milestone,' the department's statement read. As a former Cheetahs rugby player turned world champion strongman, the department said Nel showed the world what South Africans are made of – 'grit, determination, and unstoppable courage'. RELATED | Rayno Nel wins World's Strongest Man title: The dawn of the athletic era is HERE At the end of 2024, South Africa hosted the Strongman Champions League for the first time, with the vision of someday seeing a South African reach the top of this sport. 'For it to have happened this quickly, however, was a welcome surprise.' From his Varsity Cup days at Central University of Technology (CUT) to lifting the ultimate title in strength sports, the department stated that Nel's journey has been one of sheer resilience and national pride. 'His win is a reminder that greatness does not ask for permission, it announces itself. And Rayno, in his rookie season, announced South Africa's presence in this global sport in the boldest way possible.' The Minister recalled how Nel, who weighs 148kg and is the first rookie to win the competition since 1997, reached out to him for support in the early stages of his journey in strongman competitions. 'When Rayno approached me, he spoke with humility but had the fire of a champion. I told him then that I would stand behind him. Today, South Africa and the entire African continent celebrate with him.' The World's Strongest Man competition is designed to push the strongmen to their absolute limits, challenging not only their physical strength, but their agility and mental toughness too. McKenzie saluted Nel for his passion and perseverance. 'To see him raise the South African flag on such a massive platform, and to hear his words of pride for his country, is a moment I, and this nation, will not forget. 'South Africa salutes you,' McKenzie added. Post your congratulations below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending 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
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rayno Nel eager to keep improving after winning strongman world title
Nel is the first African athlete to win the World's Strongest Man competition. Newly crowned strongman world champion Rayno Nel has warned his opponents that his career is still on an upward trajectory, after stunning a powerful line-up to secure the global title at the weekend, just two years after taking up the sport. A former Cheetahs rugby player, Nel hung up his boots in 2019 and opted to focus on his career as an electrical engineer. In 2023, he started training for strongman competitions, and he found immediate success, winning the Africa's Strongest Man title in 2023 and 2024 before being crowned overall winner of last year's Strongman Champions League series. World championship Gaining a wildcard entry for the World's Strongest Man championship in California, which ended on Sunday, Nel was spectacular throughout the four-day event. He won his first-round heat before claiming overall victory in the 10-man final, which consisted of carry and hoist, max deadlift, Hercules hold, Flinstone press max and Atlas stones contests. Nel became the first African athlete to win the world strongman title in the 48-year history of the competition, and the first South African to step on the podium since Gerrit Badenhorst took third place in 1996. Raking in 47 points, he edged out three-time champion Tom Stoltman of the UK who grabbed the runner-up spot (46.5 points) and another former champion, Mitchell Hooper of Canada, who was third (43.5). Golden opportunity The 30-year-old South African, who stands at 1.91m and weighs 148kg, was pleased to be able to showcase his ability against world-class athletes he had only previously seen competing on TV. 'I watch every Giants Live (global series) competition there is and I'm always sitting on the couch and I just want to compete,' Nel said in an interview with MST Systems. 'So it's awesome to compete against these guys who I only saw for the last two years since I started strongman. And it's amazing to be able to compare myself to a guy like Mitch (Hooper), so I'm very excited about that.' 'I'm still improving' Nel was delighted with the progress he had shown over the last couple of years, and he was confident he would get even stronger. 'My strength came up really fast, and I'm still improving, which is what's keeping me excited to be in this sport,' he said. 'In each training block I've been better than the previous one.' Another South African, Jaco Schoonwinkel, ended third in his heat in California and did not progress to the final.
