2025 World’s Strongest Man - colosseumstrength.com

The 2025 World’s Strongest Man contest took place in Sacramento, California, and it was one for the record books. For the first time in the history of the competition, a strongman from South Africa stood at the top of the podium. Indeed, Rayno Nel became the first athlete from his nation to capture the sport’s most prestigious title. He didn’t just win—he made history.

Moreover, Nel’s victory came against the two most dominant forces in recent strongman history. He edged out Tom Stoltman by just half a point and held off Mitchell Hooper, the reigning champion heading into the contest. Both men joined Nel on the podium, but this time, it was the newcomer who stood in gold. Clearly, Nel’s performance marked a shift in the sport’s power balance.

Even more remarkably, Nel did it all in his World’s Strongest Man debut. He had never competed at this level before, yet he handled each event with calm and precision. From the first whistle to the final stone, he looked composed. Throughout the competition, he matched the sport’s elite not just in strength, but in poise. For a debutant, the performance was almost unheard of.

In the interview below, Nel opens up about what it felt like to be on the verge of an unthinkable victory. He discusses how he approached each event, including the pivotal Hercules Hold that pushed him into the lead. Additionally, he reflects on what it means to beat legends of the sport while still learning its ropes.

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Exclusive Interview with 2025 World’s Strongest Man Rayno Nel: “I’m Still New to the Sport”

Colosseum Strength: What were your expectations for your WSM debut?

Nel: Honestly, my goal was to be competitive. Initially, I wanted to reach the Final and place in the top 10. More importantly, I aimed to test myself against the absolute best. I wasn’t just focused on making the Final — I wanted to see how my strength stacked up at the highest level. However, as the competition went on, my expectations shifted dramatically. After day one, I realized I had a good shot at winning my group, so I focused on scoring points that would help me in the Final. By day two, I was sitting third overall, and that’s when a podium finish started feeling real. After the first day of the Final, I led by seven points. For the first time, I truly believed I could actually win WSM. The competition was testing me in ways I hadn’t fully expected, but I embraced it fully.

CS: Did anything about the competition surprise you?

Nel: Yes, the deadlift setup during the Group Stage was much harder than I expected. The equipment felt very different from a normal bar and demanded more from us physically. Interestingly, I went first in my group and managed eight reps, which won the event in my group and ranked second overall. That was a great surprise for me. Moreover, I took second in the Silver Dollar Deadlift in the Final — both times behind Trey Mitchell. That’s when I realized my deadlift had reached a world-class level. I’ve worked extremely hard on it, and seeing that effort pay off was incredibly rewarding. Even more so, I knew there was still room to grow, which motivates me moving forward.

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CS: What did you think about the new points system in the Qualifying Stage?

Nel: I really liked the new points system. Although I didn’t benefit the most — since two athletes in the Final started with more points than me — I think the format is excellent. Indeed, it pushes everyone to compete hard from the very start. By the time you reach the Final, everyone is equally fatigued, which means it truly comes down to who’s the strongest across all 10 events — not who had more rest. This system makes the competition fairer and more exciting. Therefore, I would definitely support seeing this format used again in future competitions.

CS: You excelled in agility and speed events. Do you think WSM tested all necessary facets?

Nel: Yes, WSM is the perfect test of strength and athleticism. Agility has always been a crucial part of strongman. You can be incredibly strong, but if you can’t move efficiently or get to the platform properly, your strength is limited. In fact, a true strongman is someone who is both powerful and athletic, capable of combining raw strength with mobility. This year’s event lineup tested those facets well, in my opinion.

CS: Is five events in the Final enough?

Nel: Five events work very well, especially when the Group Stage points carry over to the Final. Six events could work in theory, but considering there are already 10 events across four days, adding more could lead to excessive fatigue. Consequently, I think this year’s format struck the perfect balance between challenge and performance, allowing athletes to showcase their best without overextending themselves.

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CS: Any events you want to improve?

Nel: Definitely. I’m still very new to the sport and haven’t hit my peak in any event yet. Some areas, like pressing, need more development. Others, such as grip strength, might already be stronger for me. Overall, I haven’t perfected anything, which is actually motivating. I’m excited about how much more I can grow and improve in the coming years.

CS: What went through your mind during the Hercules Hold when you knew you’d taken the lead?

Nel: The Hercules Hold, in particular, is more about pain tolerance than grip strength — especially with the equipment used at WSM. The knurling was aggressive, so grip wasn’t always the deciding factor. Instead, it became a mental battle to stay strong through the discomfort. I tried to zone out, not overthink it, and just let time pass. Throughout the event, I focused solely on winning or placing well. I wasn’t distracted by how Hooper or Stoltman were doing. My mindset was locked in on my own performance, and that focus really helped.

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CS: You showed strong emotion during the Flintstone Barbell. What happened?

Nel: The Flintstone Press at WSM only gives you one attempt — no room for error. Unfortunately, I made a technical mistake, and that was the end of it. I knew I was capable of completing the lift and going further, so it was frustrating to miss that chance. The emotions in that moment weren’t about losing points but more about disappointment. I knew the result didn’t reflect my true ability in that event. It’s tough, but it’s part of the sport. I’ll definitely use that experience to fuel my future improvements.

CS: Did you think you could beat Hooper’s time in the Atlas Stones? Were you surprised to hear your name?

Nel: Going into the final event, my focus was simply on doing my best. I knew I needed to load all five stones or be the fastest to four, specifically, to beat Hooper’s time. I planned to get all five stones up and wasn’t aiming to be the fastest to four. However, after 10 events, the fifth stone wouldn’t go. Since, I hadn’t gone in with a strategy to rush four stones, I genuinely didn’t know whether my time was good enough. Standing there waiting for the winner announcement was surreal and unforgettable. I had no idea if it would be me or Stoltman.

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CS: What can fans expect from you next season?

Nel: I truly love the sport of strongman. This isn’t something I do for money or external rewards. Furthermore, I do it because I genuinely enjoy competing. While I appreciate the training side, it’s competition day that I live for. I’m motivated by the challenge and the thrill of testing myself against the best.

CS: Will you compete in more Giants Live or other events before the 2026 WSM?

Nel: You’ll definitely see more of me soon. I’m planning to compete in several events, including Giants Live and some other major competitions. Since I’m still new to the sport, every event gives me valuable experience. Each competition has its own format and challenges. Staying active is the best way for me to continue learning and improving.

Since Winning WSM

Nel’s first competition after winning the sport’s biggest title was the 2025 Strongman Champions League (SCL) Italy contest on June 7, where he took gold.

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Overview

Rayno Nel stunned the strongman world by winning the 2025 World’s Strongest Man in his debut. Then, in an exclusive interview, he shared how his mindset shifted from aiming for the Final to believing he could win. Next, he revealed surprises like the tough deadlift setup and praised the new points system that rewarded consistent effort. Moreover, Nel emphasized the importance of agility and mental toughness in the sport. Finally, he reflected on key moments like the Hercules Hold and Flintstone Barbell, explaining his emotions and focus. Moving forward, he plans to compete often and continue growing as an athlete.

Featured Image – 2025 World’s Strongest Man Interview — Rayno Nel: “I’m Still New to the Sport”– Credit: @theWorld’sStrongestMan (Instagram)