Latest news with #WorldFinals
The South African
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rayno Nel wins World's Strongest Man title: The dawn of the athletic era is HERE
History was made this weekend at the 2025 World's Strongest Man competition as South Africa's Rayno Nel, a former rugby player turned strongman, claimed the coveted title in his debut appearance. Nel became the first-ever winner from South Africa, the African continent, and the entire southern hemisphere – but more significantly, his victory could mark the dawn of a new athletic era in strongman competition. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 148kg, the 30-year-old Nel powered through a stacked field featuring legends such as 3-time winner Tom Stoltman and pre-competition favourite, Mitchell Hooper. But it was Nel's speed, grip, and endurance that separated him from the pack. With fellow finalist Paddy Haynes, another debutant, also turning heads with his athleticism, 2025 may be remembered as the moment the sport pivoted toward function over brute strength. Nel's path to the title was anything but conventional. With only two years of strongman experience, he secured wildcard entry to the finals following dominant performances across the 2024 Strongman Champions League, including wins in Holland, Africa, and the World Finals. But even with his growing reputation, few expected him to dethrone the world's best at his first attempt. In the opening Carry and Hoist event – a combination of zercher carries and a heavy rope hoist – Nel completed the gruelling test in just 30 seconds. The top five finishers in the event included not only previous champions like Stoltman and Hooper, but also relative lightweights Haynes and Pavlo Kordiyaka, highlighting a clear edge for those with superior movement and speed. The second event, the 18-inch deadlift, provided a reminder that brute force still matters. American strongman Trey Mitchell set a new personal best with a monstrous 500kg pull – the heaviest lift of the competition. Nel followed closely with 490kg, and five more athletes topped 465kg. While mass remains a decisive factor in these static tests, Nel's ability to stay competitive despite a more mobile frame proved his versatility. Grip strength and grit: Williams stuns, Nel maintains In the third event – the Hercules Hold – Australia's Eddie Williams stunned the crowd by holding on for an eye-watering 82 seconds, a new world record. Studies have linked grip strength to the longevity of life, and if that's true, Williams may live forever! Nel again placed in the top tier, proving his resilience and consistency across contrasting disciplines. The only sign of vulnerability in Nel's campaign came in the Flintstone barbell overhead press, where Trey Mitchell and Tom Stoltman launched 241kg overhead with relative ease. Nel managed 188kg – well short of the leaders – but still enough to keep him in the running. It was a critical moment in the standings, and one that tested Nel's mental resilience as much as his physical strength. Heading into the final event, the iconic Atlas Stones, the standings were tight. Three-time champion Tom Stoltman, known globally as the 'King of the Stones', delivered a blistering performance, completing all five stones in just 31 seconds. Nel, under pressure, managed four stones in 30 seconds – not enough to win the event, but just enough to retain his lead and take the overall title by half a point. While Nel's win is a personal triumph, it also represents something larger: A shift in what it takes to win in modern strongman competition. With faster, more dynamic events making up the majority of the finals, athletes like Nel, Haynes, and Kordiyaka – who blend agility with power – are thriving. Paddy Haynes, a former runner from the UK, placed high across multiple events and was notably effective in disciplines requiring speed and conditioning. Despite lacking some of the top-end pressing power, he remained in contention throughout and now looks set to become a mainstay on the global circuit. With event design increasingly favouring mobility, athletic backgrounds like rugby, CrossFit, and track and field could become more common among future competitors. Nel, with his engineering mindset and rugby roots, exemplifies the evolving athlete profile. That said, traditional strength is far from obsolete. The likes of Mitchell Hooper, Tom Stoltman, and Trey Mitchell continue to dominate heavy lifts – and will remain title threats in years to come. But to win, future champions may need more than size. They'll need strategy, agility, and endurance too. Rayno Nel (South Africa) Tom Stoltman (Scotland) Michell Hooper (Canada) Trey Michell (USA) Paddy Haynes (England) For the first time in World's Strongest Man history, the 2025 competition introduced a controversial new scoring system where points from the heats carried over into the finals. Traditionally, all finalists start from zero, but this year, the top two from each group entered the final with a head start based on their heat performance – meaning Mitchell Hooper began with a commanding 10 points, while Eddie Williams started with just one. Rayno Nel, who would ultimately win, began with eight points, already two behind Hooper. While the final outcome remained the same – Nel took the title – the adjusted scoring significantly shifted the rest of the leaderboard. Under the old format, Paddy Haynes would have finished second overall and Tom Stoltman fourth. Though the system rewards consistency, critics argue it undermines the purity of the final showdown, where the best athlete over the final five events should emerge on top. While rolling points may encourage full effort in the heats, it also introduces an uneven playing field – one that second-placed Stoltman may support, and fifth-placed Haynes would surely challenge. Rayno Nel's win marks not just a historic moment for South Africa, but a potential turning point for the entire sport of World's Strongest Man. In a final packed with legends and newcomers, it was the blend of brains, brawn and balance that won out. Whether this signals a true changing of the guard remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the age of the athletic strongman is well and truly here. 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.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bull riding's top tour back in Sioux Falls
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The most exciting eight seconds in sports is ready to make its return to Sioux Falls. The stage at the Premier Center is nearly set for PBR Unleash the Beast. Rapid City schools committed to supporting Native students 'The root of the PBR is to guarantee the fans, when they come to a show, to see the greatest bull riders in the world on the greatest bulls in the world,' said Flint Rasmussen, senior vice president of fan engagement. The three-day event kicks off Friday with something new to Sioux Falls. Of the 44 individual bull riders scheduled to compete, 12 will also be part of a team challenge. It's a preview of the PBR Team Series which starts in July. 'A few events, on the first night, we throw in a team element as part of that show,' Rasmussen said. There are ten teams in the series, including Friday's competitors representing the Nashville Stampede and Carolina Cowboys. 'Even the coaches are superstars. Nashville has Justin McBride, one of our greatest world champions. The legendary Jerome Davis is the Carolina coach, and so we just want people to see what we're trying to accomplish, how that head to head competition goes,' Rasmussen said. 'It's just another way to get fans to interact, so I think it's really cool and it's a cool way to keep progressing the sport forward,' professional bull rider Ezekiel Mitchell said. Mitchell isn't part of the team competition, but the Texas native needs to perform well in Sioux Falls to qualify for a spot in next month's World Finals. 'This is going to be the last three-day event of the year,' he said. 'That means we have more points up for grabs than any other event for the rest of the year, so this is kind of crunch time for everybody to start making their move.' Building industry impacted by tariffs As every bull rider attempts to hang on for eight seconds, don't underestimate the importance of the fans. 'The energy of the crowd carries over to what's going on in those chutes, simple as that, football players know it, basketball players know it, baseball players know it, bull riders are the same,' Rasmussen said. This is the fifth consecutive season the PBR's top tour has visited Sioux Falls. The competition gets underway at 7:45 Friday and Saturday night, and wraps up at 1:45 Sunday afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Globe and Mail
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Orlando Lucas to Compete at World Dance Crew Championships in New Zealand
Vancouver, Canada - April 4, 2025 - Orlando Lucas, a multi-talented dancer and actor from Vancouver, British Columbia, is set to showcase his skills on the world stage this April. The 19-year-old performer will compete with two elite dance crews—Identity Dance Company (IDCO) and Crew 24—at the prestigious World Dance Crew Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. Lucas, who has made a name for himself in both the acting and dance industries, has been part of several high-profile television productions, sharing the screen with Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis in The Unforgivable. His credits span across ABC, CBS, The CW, Hallmark, and Netflix, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. While his acting career flourishes, dance has remained a central passion, leading him to international competitions and multiple gold medal wins. Reflecting on his journey, Lucas shared, 'Dance has always been a part of who I am, but competing on the world stage with these incredible teams has pushed me beyond my limits. Being part of IDCO and Crew 24 has been an incredible experience, and I can't wait to represent New Zealand at the World Finals.' A Rising Force in the Competitive Dance World Orlando Lucas' journey in dance has been marked by discipline, dedication, and success on the global stage. Beginning his formal dance training at a young age, he quickly rose through the ranks, performing with Fresh Groove Productions in his hometown of Vancouver, Canada and securing a bronze medal at the World Hip Hop Championships in 2022. His talent and commitment earned him a spot with IDCO, a New Zealand-based megacrew, which claimed gold at the Pacific Qualifiers of the World Dance Crew Championships in 2024. They were also invited to showcase in the opening an closing events at World of Dance Finals in Los Angeles in July of 2024 where Orlando was a featured performer in one of the segments. In addition to competing with IDCO, Lucas also formed Crew 24, a nine-member team of top-tier dancers. Within months of their formation, Crew 24 won gold at the Pacific Qualifiers, securing their place at the World Finals in the Small Crew category. Their recent gold medal win in Australia, where they defeated the reigning world champions, has further solidified their standing as a team to watch. International Recognition and Influence Lucas' extraordinary influence extends beyond competition. With a significant social media following—nearly 2 million followers on TikTok (@notorlandolucas) and 160,000 on Instagram (@theorlandolucas)—he has built a global audience, inspiring aspiring dancers and performers. His engaging content and performances continue to attract international attention, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic entertainer. Looking Ahead to the World Finals With the World Dance Crew Championships in Auckland fast approaching in April 2025, Orlando Lucas is preparing to take the stage alongside his teammates, representing both New Zealand and Canada in one of the most competitive dance events worldwide. As a performer who seamlessly transitions between screen and stage, Lucas' upcoming performances promise to captivate audiences and judges alike. About Orlando Lucas Orlando Lucas is a Vancouver-born dancer and actor known for his roles in television and film, as well as his success in international dance competitions. Having worked alongside major Hollywood names and competed with award-winning dance crews, Lucas continues to make an impact in both the entertainment and dance industries. Media Contact Company Name: Orlando Lucas Contact Person: Gallit Ziv Email: Send Email Phone: +1-604-219-7291 Country: Canada Website:
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
National breaking competition qualifier coming to Minneapolis
A major break dancing competition is about to call Minnesota home. Red Bull BC One Minneapolis Cypher will come to the Twin Cities on March 29. It will be the first official event held at Royalston Square in Minneapolis' North Loop, a new, high-tech private event space with hopes of being compared to Las Vegas' the Sphere. It's one of two national qualifiers where breakers will compete to head to the U.S. National Final in Denver. Winners from that competition have the chance to take part in the World Finals, which will be held in Tokyo later this year. 'The Minneapolis breaking scene has been thriving. So, it's exciting to bring back Red Bull BC One, especially with an important event like a national qualifier,' says Jake Riley, owner of House of Dance Twin Cities and host of this year's event. The Red Bull BC One is the largest breaking competition in the world, making the qualifiers a hub for catching some of the best talent in the region. The main event features 16 competitors in a boys bracket and eight in the girls bracket, who will work their way through a one-on-one knockout competition. Dancers will include winners from an open preliminary held the night before the BC One. Tickets for the Red Bull BC One Cypher Minneapolis are on sale now.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Case Middle School hosts 2025 Odyssey of the Mind Competition
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – Case Middle School in Watertown will host the Odyssey of the Mind Competition on Saturday, March 1, 2025, students from Regions 8 and 9 will be showcasing their creativity during the competition. 2024 Winners! Case Middle School will be full of creative kids who are hoping to show off their intelligence and their creativity in this tournament with the World Finals taking place at Michigan State University in May. Students will have spent months of their free time-solving problems as well as developing teamwork skills, independent study, friendships, confidence and thinking outside of the box. Teams will also learn how to budget money since there is a cost limit to each problem. The tournament starts at 8:30 a.m. with the Awards Ceremony beginning around 1:30 p.m. Spectators are welcome to join the rest of the supporters of Odyssey of the Mind parents, coaches, judges, teachers and students. More information is available on the Odyssey of the Mind's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
