The 2025 World’s Strongest Man qualifying rounds have concluded after four demanding days. The finals are now set to take place on May 18 at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California. Ten elite athletes remain, ready to battle for the crown in a contest where every second and every rep matters.

The field featured some of the sport’s biggest names. Three-time WSM champion Tom Stoltman returned to defend his legacy. Mitchell Hooper, the 2023 titleholder, also stepped back into the arena. But the lineup was more than just familiar faces—it was a mix of experience, power, and rising talent from across the globe.

This year’s qualifying format brought a major change. Twenty-five competitors were split into five groups. Each group faced five events over two days. The top two finishers from each group advanced. For the first time, athletes carried a ranked score from the qualifying rounds into the Finals—raising the stakes from the very first event.

In the end, Rayno Nel, reigning SCL (Strongman Champions League) World Champion, emerged victorious. His grip, power, and grit secured him the 2025 World’s Strongest Man title—marking a historic moment in the sport’s history.

2025 World’s Strongest Man – Finals Day Two Results

Event Four – Flintstone Press Max

The Flintstone Press Max kicked off the final day of the 2025 World’s Strongest Man. This event made its return after being absent since 2022, when Oleksii Novikov set the record at 246 kilograms. It tested the athletes’ shoulder strength and endurance.

At the start, Rayno Nel held a seven-point lead. However, the event reshuffled the standings. Tom Stoltman and Trey Mitchell tied for first, each with six reps. Mitchell Hooper, nine points behind Nel, tied for third with five reps.

Pavlo Kordiyaka also reached five reps. Ondrej Fojtů managed four reps. Shane Flowers and Luke Stoltman both completed two reps. Rayno Nel struggled and finished with just one rep. Eddie Williams and Paddy Haynes failed to register a lift.

Event Five – Atlas Stones

The final event, the Atlas Stones, will decide the winner. Athletes must lift and place a series of heavy stones onto platforms of varying height. This classic test of strength and endurance will be the ultimate showdown.

Results for the Atlas Stones event will be released soon.

Finalists Roster and Flintstone Press Max Results

Event Five – Atlas Stones

The 2025 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Finals came down to the Atlas Stones event. Entering the final competition, the podium was set: Rayno Nel, Mitchell Hooper, and defending champion Tom Stoltman were all guaranteed to stand together during the awards ceremony. However, the order was still undecided.

The Atlas Stones challenge featured five stones weighing between 140 and 210 kilograms. The winner was the athlete who loaded all five stones in the fastest time.

Athlete	Country	Stones Loaded	Time (seconds)
Tom Stoltman 🇬🇧	UK	5	31.76
Trey Mitchell 🇺🇸	USA	5	41.08
Rayno Nel 🇿🇦	RSA	4	30.17
Mitchell Hooper 🇨🇦	CAN	4	31.02
Paddy Haynes 🇬🇧	UK	4	34.07
Pavlo Kordiyaka 🇺🇦	UKR	4	38.39
Shane Flowers 🇬🇧	UK	4	54.09
Luke Stoltman 🇬🇧	UK	3	25.05
Eddie Williams 🇦🇺	AUS	3	25.88
Ondrej Fojtů 🇨🇿	CZE	3	31.38

Atlas Stones Heat Showdowns

First, Luke Stoltman faced Eddie Williams. Despite Williams reaching the first stone first, Stoltman was faster to load it. The weight jump at the third stone slowed both, but Stoltman managed to lift the fourth, only to drop it before settling it on the platform.

Next, Pavlo Kordiyaka went shirtless, relying on skin grip and tacky on his arms to handle the hot stones under Sacramento’s sun. Both he and Shane Flowers loaded the first stones simultaneously, but Kordiyaka pulled ahead by the third and thrilled the crowd by loading the fourth stone. He struggled on the fifth, unable to lock it in. Flowers did not attempt the fifth stone. A five-second penalty was given to Flowers for rolling the fourth stone off its ring.

Meanwhile, Paddy Haynes edged past Ondrej Fojtů, who stopped at three stones. Fojtů managed to lap the fifth stone but couldn’t lock it onto the platform.

Mitchell Hooper and Trey Mitchell Battle

In the next heat, Hooper stumbled at the start, dropping the first stone and losing precious time. Trey Mitchell stayed steady, becoming the first to load all five stones. Hooper tried twice at the fifth stone but could not move it.

Finally, the top contenders Rayno Nel and Tom Stoltman faced off. Nel, holding the overall lead, knew that loading all five stones would secure the championship. Otherwise, he only needed to beat Hooper’s time on four stones.

Stoltman, also shirtless, lifted the first three stones in one motion, building a clear lead over Nel. Nel loaded his fourth stone, matching Hooper’s time, then attempted the fifth stone. The whistle blew before he could lock it in.

Nel Secures Historic Title

After tense moments, officials announced Nel’s time was one second faster than Hooper’s. This confirmed Rayno Nel as the 2025 World’s Strongest Man champion. His grip, power, and strategy made history.

2025 World’s Strongest Man Events

The 2025 World’s Strongest Man qualifying rounds wrapped after four intense days. Now, the finals are set for May 18 at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Ten elite athletes remain. Notably, past champions Tom Stoltman and Mitchell Hooper returned. Meanwhile, rising talents added fresh excitement. This year introduced a major format change—scores carried into the finals. As a result, every rep counted from day one. In the end, Rayno Nel claimed the title. Ultimately, his strength, grip, and composure led to a historic win. Rayno Nel, reigning Strongman Champions League World Champion, won the 2025 World’s Strongest Man; Tom Stoltman was second, who couldn’t defend his title,Mitchell Hooper finished third.

Featured Image –2025 World’s Strongest Man Finals Results Day 4 (LIVE COVERAGE) Day 2 Finals– Credit: @theworldsstrongestman (Instagram)