2025 World’s Strongest Man Hercules Hold Official Results

The 2025 World’s Strongest Man Finals closed Day Three with the Hercules Hold. In this event, each athlete gripped 350 kilograms in each hand. As a result, the brutal test pushed their grip strength to the limit. Naturally, the spirit of Mark Felix lingered over the competition.

Meanwhile, during the KNAACK 18” Max Deadlift, Rayno Nel defied expectations. Previously, many believed the title fight was only between Tom Stoltman and Mitchell Hooper. However, Nel entered the Hercules Hold holding a three-point lead. Importantly, only three events remained in the contest.

Furthermore, Nel left the arena with a commanding advantage. Specifically, he led by seven points over Hooper and nine points over Stoltman. This lead is extraordinary for a newcomer. Indeed, it highlights Nel’s strong arrival on the WSM stage.

Finally, Eddie Williams made headlines. Notably, he shattered a WSM record to win his first Finals event. Consequently, his breakthrough became one of the day’s biggest stories.

2025 World’s Strongest Man Hercules Hold Official Results — Featured Image – 2025 WSM Hercules Hold Official Results – Credit: @theworldsstrongestman, @Rich Storry (Instagram)

2025 World’s Strongest Man Hercules Hold Results

Rank	Athlete	Country	Time (seconds)
1	Eddie Williams	🇦🇺 Australia (AUS)	82.14
2	Rayno Nel	🇿🇦 South Africa (RSA)	75.63
3	Paddy Haynes	🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK)	59.64
4	Ondrej Fojtů	🇨🇿 Czech Republic (CZE)	55.41
5	Shane Flowers	🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK)	40.26
6	Mitchell Hooper	🇨🇦 Canada (CAN)	40.09
7	Luke Stoltman	🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK)	32.3
8	Tom Stoltman	🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK)	31.82
9	Pavlo Kordiyaka	🇺🇦 Ukraine (UKR)	29.1
10	Trey Mitchell	🇺🇸 USA	22.29

2025 World’s Strongest Man Hercules Hold Recap

Athletes were seeded by their finish in the previous event; the lowest-ranked athlete attempted first. Therefore, Luke Stoltman was first to the arena to endure the demigod’s namesake challenge. Stoltman’s attempt at 32.3 seconds was nothing unusual, and it was unlikely to withstand the rest of the field to advance up the leaderboard.

Williams was second onstage. He was considered a favorite as the Nicol Stone record holder — grip strength he has in spades. He held comfortably for a while, nodding multiple times to the judge of his confidence. The crowd’s roar swelled to a chant of his name as he eclipsed the minute mark to set a WSM record by over 20 seconds.

Kordiyaka bestowed the stage in third position. He sat much lower in his stance than Williams, with a significant shift to his right; essentially a lateral lunge. He was clearly uncomfortable and dropped faster than he likely expected to.

Flowers entered with hands chalked so green, he might have slapped Slimer from Ghostbusters in the locker room. Flowers was defiant through his attempt, yelling “C’mon!” either to the crowd, himself, or both while shaking before his left hand released.

Mid-Event Highlights and Athlete Struggles

Fojtů entered with a calm demeanor before settling into his grip. He immediately adjusted his footing upon taking the full brunt of the pillars. He held static until puffing his chest into a more upright stance upon surpassing Flowers’ time.

Haynes approached the pillars, bucket-hatted and mustachioed. He suffered a slight jolt forward when taking control of the full 700 kilograms. The crowd chanted his name before he reached the 30-second mark, and the noise only swelled from there. He released with a satisfied smirk upon passing Fojtů’s time.

Hooper was in a position he’d not been accustomed to for the past two years—lifting without knowing the definitive winning time he needed. He was shaking early from a low squat stance, pain strewn across his face. His expression was one of disappointment after he released the pillars, as his chances for the overall gold slipped further away with only two events remaining.

Tom Stoltman could distance himself from Hooper with a top time. Attempting before Nel meant Stoltman needed to overtake Williams’ time to post a dent in Nel’s three-point lead. Stoltman’s height was presumably advantageous, though he gave some of it back with a mid-low squat position. Surprisingly, fatigue onset quickly, and Stoltman dropped just over the 30-second mark.

2025 WSM Hercules Hold Official Results — Featured Image – 2025 WsM Hercules Hold Official Results – Credit: @theworldsstrongestman, @Rich Storry (Instagram)

Rayno Nel Stood High

Nel gulped upon taking command of the weight, but was a rock thereafter. He knew a second-or-better finish could build a lead wide enough to be virtually insurmountable with only two events remaining. The crowd stood on their feet as Nel looked like he was casually chewing bubble gum while endeavoring to bear the weight of the gods.

Mitchell locked in with high, packed shoulders, but the pillars almost fell without much drama.

2025 WSM Final

The final day in Sacramento features two events before a champion is crowned: the Flintstone Press Max at 10 a.m. PST and the Atlas Stones at 2:30 p.m. PST.

2025 WSM Events Schedule

Altogether, ten events will unfold over four days. Each event is timed in Pacific Standard Time and may be subject to change.

Qualifying Round – Day One (Thursday, May 15)

10 a.m. – Loading Medley
2 p.m. – Deadlift for Reps
5 p.m. – Rogue Overhead Medley

Qualifying Round – Day Two (Friday, May 16)

10 a.m. – Titan’s Toss
2 p.m. – Stone Medley

Final – Day One (Saturday, May 17)

10 a.m. – KNAACK Carry & Hoist
1 p.m. – 18″ Max Deadlift
4 p.m. – Hercules Hold

Final – Day Two (Sunday, May 18)

10 a.m. – Flintstone Press Max
2:30 p.m. – Atlas Stones

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Overview

The 2025 WSM Finals ended Day Three with the grueling Hercules Hold. Each athlete gripped 350 kilograms in each hand, testing their grip strength to the limit. First, Luke Stoltman started but posted an average time. Then, Eddie Williams shattered the WSM record, holding for over 82 seconds. Meanwhile, Rayno Nel entered with a surprising three-point lead. Next, Nel extended his advantage, putting pressure on his rivals with only three events left. Finally, Mitchell Hooper and Tom Stoltman struggled to keep pace, making Nel the clear frontrunner going into the final day.

Featured Image – 2025 World’s Strongest Man Hercules Hold Official Results – Credit: @theworldsstrongestman, @Rich Storry (Instagram)

Tags: NEWS Results Strongman

2025 World’s Strongest Man Hercules Hold Official Results

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