Rayno Nel has gained the forty eighth version of the World’s Strongest Man competitors. The four-day competitors was held in Sacramento, CA, from Could 15-18, and it began with 25 of the world’s best strongmen battling it out for 10 ultimate positions. The finals had been held over two days, and Nel was dominant from begin to end to win his first WSM championship.
Nel needed to overcome three-time and defending champion Tom Stoltman in addition to the dominant Mitchell Hooper, who gained this title in 2023 and was seen as the favourite to reclaim the title this yr. Stoltman and Hooper took silver and bronze on the rostrum.
Nel not solely gained this title however made important historical past as the primary man to win the title in his WSM debut since 1997 when Jouko Ahola shocked the world by successful the competition. He’s additionally the primary man from South Africa to earn this title. The ultimate standings for all ten finalists are beneath.
1. Rayno Nel
2. Tom Stoltman
3. Mitchell Hooper
4. Trey Mitchell
5. Paddy Haynes
6. Ondrej Fojtu
7. Shane Flowers
8. Pavlo Kordiyaka
9. Luke Stoltman
10. Eddie Williams
Rayno Nel Sudden Weekend Profitable Efficiency
The complete discipline of 25 needed to compete over two days to find out the finalists. Nel was in Group Three with Shane Flowers, Lucas Hatton, Evans Nana Aryee, and Mateusz Kieliszkowski. Kieliszkowski was the favourite out of this group, however was pressured to withdraw by the ultimate occasion attributable to what he described as flu-like signs. Nel remains to be comparatively new to the game, and only a few noticed him as a risk to advance. Nonetheless, he marched by means of every of the 5 occasions to win the group. Flowers completed in second and joined Nel within the finals.
The highway for Nel to win the finals was not as simple as he made it look. The opponents needed to face new modifications for this yr’s contest, together with no relaxation day for the finalists between the qualifying heats and the finals. There was additionally a brand new scoring system instituted for the finals based mostly on how the athletes carried out within the first spherical of competitors.
Hooper began the finals with the lead with Stoltman in second, and Nel in third. Nel modified his fortunes by successful the opening occasion of the finals, the KNAACK Carry and Hoist by practically 4 seconds over Stoltman. Hooper ended the occasion in third place. That resulted in a three-way tie for the general lead.
Subsequent up was the 18-inch Max Deadlift, which was a primary energy occasion. The person who lifted essentially the most gained. Trey Mitchell managed to drag 500 kilograms, or 1,102 kilos, to win that occasion, however Nel positioned second by solely 10 kilograms, which helped give him the lead over the 2 former champions. He additionally took second within the iconic Hercules Maintain to assist him finish the primary day of the finals within the lead.
Championship day started with the Flintstone Press Max, one other single-rep energy occasion. Nel’s solely flawed efficiency was on this occasion, the place he completed in eighth place. Stoltman took the win, however Nel’s total lead was nonetheless intact going into the ultimate occasion, the Atlas Stones.
The WSM title can be decided by who might elevate the 5 stones, weighing in a spread of 140 to 210 kilograms, as much as their platforms within the quickest time attainable. Nel accomplished 4 lifts in simply over 30 seconds, but it surely was sufficient to safe him the title. Stoltman, who is thought for his prowess on this seven, gained the occasion by lifting all 5 stones up in 31 seconds. That helped him safe second, relegating Hooper to 3rd total.
Whereas Nel’s victory is seen as not solely an upset however a welcome addition to the highest ranks of the game, some followers marvel what could have been had American Evan Singleton been within the combine. Singleton completed the 2024 WSM in third, however he suffered a biceps tear on the opening occasion of the qualifying warmth, leading to him having to bow out. The hope is that Singleton will be capable of return in 2026 and see how he can match up in opposition to this new champion.
