The 2026 World’s Strongest Man is being held from April 23 through April 26 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and finally finalists revealed. The opening two days served as the qualifying stage, where 25 athletes battled through five demanding events. Only ten places were available in the finals.

As a result, the field has now been reduced to a select group of contenders. Some favorites advanced comfortably, while others survived tense final-event battles. A few major names, however, failed to make it through.

The biggest headline came from the elimination of Tom Stoltman. The three-time champion had reached the podium in each of the previous six editions, but this year his run ended before the finals began.

Similar to last year, organizers moved away from the traditional clean-slate finals format. Instead of all finalists starting from zero, qualifying results were ranked and converted into starting points. The best qualifier began with 10 points, and the totals declined from there.

That system changed the strategy of the entire week. In past years, athletes who had already qualified could conserve energy before the finals. Now, every second and every repetition in the qualifiers carried meaningful value.

Consequently, consistency became as important as survival. Those who dominated early events entered the finals with an advantage, while late qualifiers had to begin from behind.

 

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2026 World’s Strongest Man Finalists

The finalists represent a broad mix of proven champions, rising threats, and first-time contenders. Some arrive with experience deep into the competition. Others now face the biggest stage of their careers.

Mitchell Hooper earned the top carryover total after one of the most complete qualifying performances. Rayno Nel followed closely after another strong group-stage showing as defending champion.

Meanwhile, Austin Andrade, Ondrej Fojtu, and Eddie Williams positioned themselves well enough to threaten the podium immediately.

Finals Lineup Overview

Rayno Nel returned looking every bit like a defending champion. He won his group for the second straight year and entered the finals with nine points. Just as importantly, several final events appeared favorable for his strengths.

Mitchell Hooper may have been the most complete athlete of the qualifiers. He finished top two in all five events and claimed the No. 1 carryover seed with 10 points. That consistency again placed him among the title favorites.

Austin Andrade and Mathew Ragg emerged from the most difficult group. Both men outperformed Tom Stoltman to qualify, a result that immediately elevated their status in the field. Andrade’s eight starting points made him especially dangerous.

Ondrej Fojtu may have been the breakout athlete of qualifying week. He controlled his group convincingly despite having just won Europe’s Strongest Man two weeks earlier. His six carryover points gave him a legitimate path to the podium.

Eddie Williams also entered in strong position with seven points. His blend of power and speed kept him near the front throughout qualifying. That start made him one of the most serious threats outside the top two seeds.

Pavlo Kordiyaka and Trey Mitchell survived a chaotic Group Five battle. That group remained undecided until the final event, where only one point separated multiple athletes. Both men advanced again.

 

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Veterans and newcomers round out the final ten

Martins Licis continued one of the most reliable runs in recent memory. He has now reached the World’s Strongest Man finals in all six of his appearances. Experience alone made him dangerous despite starting on 3.5 points.

Nick Guardione secured the final qualifying position after a tense battle with Luke Richardson. This marked his first finals appearance, and he entered with one point. Even so, simply reaching the final ten represented a breakthrough.

The lineup ultimately blended former champions, established veterans, and emerging contenders. That combination set the stage for one of the most open finals in recent years.

Tom Stoltman’s elimination reshaped the championship picture

Stoltman’s failure to qualify stood as the defining shock of the group stage. The three-time champion had reached the podium in each of the last six contests. His absence removed one of the sport’s most dominant recent forces.

Group Two proved especially unforgiving. Andrade and Ragg consistently banked points, while Jaco Schoonwinkel also stayed close. Stoltman could not recover enough ground in the closing events.

As a result, the finals field opened considerably. Without one of the pre-event favorites, the title race became far less predictable.

Remaining WSM Schedule

Day Two of the finals will decide the 2026 champion. Two signature events remain before the trophy ceremony. The margins at the top remain close enough for a late reversal.

Rayno Nel enters with the lead, but Mitchell Hooper remains within reach. If the Canadian gains ground on the Log Lift, the title race could shift quickly. Atlas Stones may then decide everything.

The final day promises one of the strongest finishes in recent years.

Previous World’s Strongest Man Winners

The World’s Strongest Man title remains the most prestigious prize in the sport. Winning once places an athlete in history. Winning multiple times defines eras.

Several legends shaped the competition through different generations. Bill Kazmaier, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Žydrūnas Savickas, Brian Shaw, and Tom Stoltman all built dynasties.

Rayno Nel entered this year as the defending champion. By the end of Day One, he had placed himself in strong position to join the repeat winners list.

2026 Arnold Strongman Classic Live Coverage

• 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic Day One Results — Mitchell Hooper and Austin Andrade Lead
• 2026 Arnold Strongwoman Classic Results Day One — Olga Liashchuk and Angelica Jardine Lead
• 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic Results Day 1, 2 — Mitchell Hooper Wins 4th Consecutive Title
• 2026 Arnold Strongwoman Classic Results Day 1,2 — Olga Liashchuk Wins the Title

2026 World’s Strongest Man Live Coverage

• 2026 World’s Strongest Man Groups Revealed
• How to Watch 2026 World’s Strongest Man
• 2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day One Qualifiers [Live Coverage]
• 2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day Two Qualifiers [Live Coverage]
• 2026 World’s Strongest Man Finals — Day One Results [Live Coverage]
• 2026 World’s Strongest Man Finalists Revealed — Tom Stoltman Eliminated

Overview

The qualifying stage delivered one of the most dramatic openings in recent World’s Strongest Man history. Tight groups, final-event swings, and major eliminations created constant tension. By the end, ten deserving finalists remained.

Mitchell Hooper and Rayno Nel entered with the strongest positions, but several others stayed close enough to threaten quickly. Andrade, Fojtu, Williams, and Licis all carried realistic podium hopes.

Most of all, Tom Stoltman’s exit changed the tone of the competition. With no overwhelming favorite remaining, the finals promised a wide-open fight for the 2026 title.