2025 World’s Strongest Man: The Final 10 Are Locked In

The 2025 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) is officially halfway done. Already, the Final is shaping up to be as much a tactical war as a test of brute force.

After five punishing events in the Qualifying Stage, the top two athletes from each group have punched their ticket to the Final. However, this year’s WSM isn’t just about who made it — it’s about how they got there.

For the first time in WSM history, each athlete’s Qualifying Stage performance has been ranked. Consequently, these rankings determine a starting score heading into the Final.

As a result, this change is a game-changer. Moving forward, the competition will demand both strength and strategy from the athletes. Among them, the top 10 finalists now prepare to battle for the ultimate title.

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2025 World’s Strongest Man Finals Roster

Athlete	Country	Qualification Status
Tom Stoltman	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	Group One Winner
Eddie Williams	🇦🇺 Australia	Group One Runner-Up
Mitchell Hooper	🇨🇦 Canada	Group Two Winner
Paddy Haynes	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	Group Two Runner-Up
Rayno Nel	🇿🇦 South Africa	Group Three Winner
Shane Flowers	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	Group Three Runner-Up
Trey Mitchell	🇺🇸 United States	Group Four Winner
Ondrej Fojtů	🇨🇿 Czech Republic	Group Four Runner-Up
Luke Stoltman	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	Group Five Winner
Pavlo Kordiyaka	🇺🇦 Ukraine	Group Five Runner-Up

Hooper Starts on Top — Leaderboard After Qualifying

Athlete	Points
Mitchell Hooper	10
Tom Stoltman	9
Rayno Nel	8
Trey Mitchell	7
Luke Stoltman	6
Paddy Haynes	5
Shane Flowers	4
Ondrej Fojtů	3
Pavlo Kordiyaka	2
Eddie Williams	1

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More Than A Show

These points are crucial. They set the starting order and scores for the Final. A strong position can mean the difference between winning and falling behind.

What Is Leader’s Advantage and Why It Matters Now

Leader’s Advantage is real, and it could be the deciding factor in this year’s contest. The higher an athlete is ranked, the later they compete in each event. That means they know exactly what numbers they need to beat.

For example, in the 18” Max Deadlift, if the top lift before Hooper hits the stage is 970 pounds, he only needs to pull 975 to win the event. No guesswork. No wasted energy.

Mitchell Hooper told Colosseum Strength after winning the 2023 WSM that Leader’s Advantage was worth six points. He won that year by 4.5 points. Do the math—being the top seed can make or break a title run.

2025 WSM Finals: Day One Event Schedule (May 16, 2025)

KNAACK Carry & Hoist — 10 a.m. PST
A staple of modern WSM: grip, core, and conditioning all in one event.
18” Max Deadlift — 1 p.m. PST
The big pull. Expect fireworks here as the top seeds strategize around known lifts.
Hercules Hold — 4 p.m. PST
Grip will be king. Fatigue will be real. This could be where the leaderboard shifts.

Who Holds the Advantage?

Mitchell Hooper sits firmly in the driver’s seat, fueled by consistent dominance throughout the season.
Close behind, Tom Stoltman brings a wealth of experience and a championship pedigree that keeps the pressure high.
Rayno Nel and Trey Mitchell possess the raw power needed to surge upward in the standings.
Meanwhile, Luke Stoltman remains steady and focused, ready to make a decisive push.
At the opposite end, Eddie Williams and Pavlo Kordiyaka face a steep climb if they want to stay in contention.

Final Take

The new format is rewriting how the WSM Final is fought. Points now come before the events start, and that changes everything. With Leader’s Advantage looming large, expect calculated aggression, sharp strategy, and no room for error.

Stay locked in. The battle for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man has only just begun.

2025 World’s Strongest Man Events

Altogether, ten events will unfold over four days. Also, 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 World’s Strongest Man is now halfway complete. Next, the competition is proving to be as much about strategy as brute strength. Additionally, for the first time, athletes begin the Final with ranked scores from qualifying rounds. Consequently, every point earned carries significant weight. Meanwhile, the top 10 finalists—Mitchell Hooper, Tom Stoltman, Rayno Nel, Trey Mitchell, Luke Stoltman, Paddy Haynes, Shane Flowers, Ondrej Fojtů, Pavlo Kordiyaka, and Eddie Williams—prepare to face off with both power and tactics. Therefore, this new system changes the competition entirely. Finally, the battle for the title promises to be intense and unpredictable.

Featured Image – 2025 World’s Strongest Man: The Final 10 Are Locked In – Credit: @theworldsstrongestman (Instagram)