21-05-2025
Rugby star turns up and wins World's Strongest Man on first attempt as amateur
Rugby star turns up and wins World's Strongest Man on first attempt as amateur
The 30-year-old weighs over 23 stone and has made history
The former rugby player has excelled in the Strongman arena.
(Image: (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) )
Former rugby player Rayno Nel has won the World's Strongest Man 2025.
The ex-Free State Cheetahs player became the first ever African to win the famous competition and defeated strongman royalty Tom Stoltman in the final in California. Claiming the coveted title by a mere half-point, Nel became the first rookie to win WSM since 1997. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
Nel's success is fairly unprecedented too, he only took up strongman training three years ago, and took part in his first event at South Africa's Strongest Man in 2023.
His strength was first recognised while at Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein, where he was captain of the rugby team for three consecutive years before going on to play for the Cheetahs.
CUT posted a statement following the success of their alumnus: "His journey reflects CUT's commitment to excellence, resilience, and innovation on and off the field. We salute Rayno for his outstanding achievement and for carrying the CUT flag with pride and power."
Nel is an electrical engineer by trade and works full-time unlike many of the other athletes, and despite just winning the most sought after prize in the world of strongman, he insists he has no intention of going professional at the moment.
Article continues below
Speaking to the legendary Eddie Hall after taking the title, he was asked about this, with Hall fully expectant that Nel would be putting all his eggs in one basket with strongman.
"I love what I do," explained Nel.
"I'm an electrical engineer by trade and it's really something I hold close to my heart. So, I don't think I'll ever go away from it, strongman is just a couple of years.
"That's a good question, I need to sit down and think: 'What is my future?', for now, I'm going to enjoy winning the World's Strongest Man.
"It's something you guys work for, for so many years, and for me it's just something that came in the first year.
"I'm amazed by the great result, I'll just go back to the drawing board, plan and see what's next."
Article continues below
Check out this clip below.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Nel also completed a stunning repetition of 490 kilograms on the deadlift. For context, the world record is 501kg, set by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (controversially besting Hall's 500kg record).
