2026 World’s Strongest Man Full Results (Live Coverage)

The 2026 World’s Strongest Man concluded on April 26 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with the second day of the Finals bringing the competition to a close. Ten athletes returned for the last two events, knowing the title remained undecided. Every lift and every second carried enormous value.

🇿🇦 Rayno Nel entered the day in first place after dominating day one. He swept all three opening events and created a cushion over the rest of the field. 🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper, however, stayed within striking distance after three straight runner-up finishes.

Day two opened with the Max Log and immediately tightened the standings. Hooper outlifted Nel by nine kilograms, cutting the gap to one point entering Atlas Stones. Once the final event began, Hooper capitalized on the moment and secured his second career WSM title.

2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Finals Day Two

Medal	Athlete	Points
🥇	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	54
🥈	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	52
🥉	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	36
4	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	31.5
5	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	31.5
6	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	30.5
7	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	29
8	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	26
9	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	21
10	🇲🇽 Austin Andrade (Withdrew)	12.5

Event Recap

The final day featured two legendary Strongman events. Max Log tested overhead power, timing, and technical precision, while Atlas Stones demanded explosive endurance after four exhausting days of competition. Together, they created a worthy championship finish.

Several athletes also battled for podium positions and top-five placings. 🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell, 🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka, 🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu, and 🇱🇻 Martins Licis all entered the day with something major to gain. That made the overall standings volatile throughout the session.

Still, the title race remained the central focus. Hooper needed a near-perfect finish, while Nel needed to defend the lead he built on day one. By the final stone, the championship had changed hands.

Max Log

The penultimate event of the 2026 WSM was a Log Lift for maximum weight. Athletes had multiple attempts to clean the log from the floor and press it overhead. Few events carry more prestige in Strongman than a heavy log ladder or max log showdown.

🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell delivered the best lift of the day with 213 kilograms (470 pounds). He looked composed from start to finish and appeared capable of more if required. That victory gave him critical points in the race for the podium.

🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper and 🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu tied for second with 209 kilograms (461 pounds). 🇿🇦 Rayno Nel responded with 200 kilograms (441 pounds), enough to preserve the overall lead heading into Atlas Stones.

Place	Athlete	Best Lift
🥇	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	213 kg
🥈	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	209 kg
🥈	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	209 kg
4	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	200 kg
5	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	191 kg
5	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	191 kg
5	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	191 kg
5	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	191 kg
9	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	No Lift

Atlas Stones

As tradition dictates, the 2026 World’s Strongest Man ended with Atlas Stones. Athletes faced five stones ranging from 140 kilograms to 210 kilograms, racing to load each onto elevated platforms. The event once again decided the championship.

🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell stood alone as the only athlete to load all five stones, finishing in 42.10 seconds. That performance sealed third place overall and gave him the best WSM finish of his career. It was a clutch moment under immense pressure.

🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper needed a decisive run and delivered exactly that. He loaded four stones in 28.67 seconds, the fastest among all athletes with four stones completed. That result moved him past Nel and clinched the title.

Place	Athlete	Result
🥇	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	5 in 42.10 s
🥈	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	4 in 28.67 s
🥉	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	4 in 29.71 s
4	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	4 in 32.70 s
5	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	4 in 35.01 s
6	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	4 in 42.07 s
7	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	3 in 22.15 s
8	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	3 in 30.60 s
9	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	3 in 32.39 s

🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper once again proved he is one of the most complete athletes in the sport. He stayed patient while trailing, struck in the Max Log, and executed when the title came down to Atlas Stones. His consistency across all five finals events decided the championship.

🇿🇦 Rayno Nel pushed his title defense to the final moments. Sweeping day one showed how dangerous he has become across multiple disciplines. Although he finished second, he confirmed that he remains one of Strongman’s premier contenders.

🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell delivered one of the stories of the weekend. Event wins in the Max Log and Atlas Stones launched him onto the podium and earned the highest WSM placing of his career. His late surge transformed the standings.

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.

Day	Date	Event	Time
Day Four	Sunday, April 26th	Max Log	10:00 AM
Day Four	Sunday, April 26th	Atlas Stones	1:30 PM
Day Four	Sunday, April 26th	WSM Trophy Ceremony	2:45 PM

2026 World’s Strongest Man Finals — Day One Results

The 2026 World’s Strongest finals officially began on April 25th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where ten athletes returned after surviving the qualifying stage. Three events were scheduled for the opening day, and every point carried major weight with only one day left after it. The battle for the title started immediately.

Rayno Nel delivered the strongest opening statement of the competition. He won all three events on Day One and moved into first place overall. As a result, the defending champion built a 2.5-point advantage entering the final day.

Mitchell Hooper stayed within striking distance despite finishing second in all three events. His consistency kept him close enough to attack on Day Two. Meanwhile, questions remained around whether Nel could hold off the Canadian once the overhead events arrived.

2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Finals Day One [Live Updates]

The standings after Day One showed a clear separation at the top. Rayno Nel and Mitchell Hooper distanced themselves from the rest of the field through dominant performances. Everyone else now faced a steep climb.

Eddie Williams held third place after a steady afternoon. Mathew Ragg and Pavlo Kordiyaka also remained in contention for a podium finish. Martins Licis and Ondrej Fojtu stayed close enough to move upward with one strong final day.

Austin Andrade withdrew after the opening portion of the finals. That reduced the field to nine active competitors heading into Day Two.

Rank	Athlete	Points
🥇 1	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	39
🥈 2	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	36.5
🥉 3	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	24
4	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	21.5
5	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	20
6	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	18
7	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	18
8	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	16
9	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	12.5
10	🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	12.5 (Withdrew)

Event One — Flip & Carry

The finals opened with a punishing medley. Athletes had to flip a 520-kilogram box four times before carrying a 454-kilogram yoke for 20 meters. The event demanded explosive strength, speed, and recovery under pressure.

Mitchell Hooper entered as the unofficial king of the yoke, but Rayno Nel matched him stride for stride. The two men separated themselves from the field immediately. When the times were posted, Nel had won by just 0.14 seconds.

The fight for third place proved nearly as close. Pavlo Kordiyaka edged Eddie Williams by less than a second. The narrow margins showed just how deep the finals field had become.

Rank	Athlete	Result
🥇	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	27.30 s
🥈	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	27.44 s
🥉	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	33.80 s
4	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	34.74 s
5	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	36.13 s
6	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	37.24 s
7	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	39.31 s
8	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	40.43 s
9	🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	40.57 s
10	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	43.86 s

Event Two — Deadlift

The second event shifted from speed to raw pulling power. Athletes chose between 360 kilograms and 400 kilograms, then attempted as many repetitions as possible. However, one rep with the heavier bar outranked any number on the lighter bar.

Rayno Nel stayed perfect. He powered through five repetitions with 400 kilograms and shut the event down once victory was secure. That gave him maximum points again and expanded his overall lead.

Mitchell Hooper and Mathew Ragg both produced strong performances. Each completed four reps at 400 kilograms plus one at 360 kilograms. Their tie kept pressure on the leaderboard behind Nel.

Rank	Athlete	Result
🥇	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	5 reps @ 400 kg
🥈	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	4 @ 400 + 1 @ 360
🥈	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	4 @ 400 + 1 @ 360
4	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	3 @ 400 + 1 @ 360
5	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	3 @ 400
6	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	3 @ 400
7	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	2 @ 400 + 1 @ 360
8	🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	1 @ 400
9	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	1 @ 400
10	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	No Lift

Event Three — Titan’s Toss

Titan’s Toss returned from last year with a technical challenge. Athletes threw ten 14-kilogram implements over a 3.65-meter beam. Each throw moved farther away, beginning at seven meters and ending at twelve.

Many athletes struggled once the distance increased. Rayno Nel did not. He landed nine successful tosses and missed only once, completing a flawless first day of finals competition.

Mitchell Hooper again finished second, this time by completing eight tosses in faster time than the rest of the field. Nick Guardione rebounded from two difficult earlier events to claim third.

Rank	Athlete	Result
🥇	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	9 in 39.23 s
🥈	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	8 in 35.00 s
🥉	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	8 in 43.09 s
4	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	6 in 21.78 s
5	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	6 in 23.10 s
6	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	6 in 26.78 s
7	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	6 in 28.44 s
8	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	6 in 33.94 s
9	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	3 in 17.84 s
10	🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	Withdrew

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.

Day	Date	Event	Time
Day Four	Sunday, April 26th	Max Log	10:00 AM
Day Four	Sunday, April 26th	Atlas Stones	1:30 PM
Day Four	Sunday, April 26th	WSM Trophy Ceremony	2:45 PM

2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day Two Qualifiers

The 2026 World’s Strongest Man continued on April 24th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as the qualifying stage reached its conclusion. Athletes entered Day Two knowing only two events remained to decide their fate: the Truck Pull and the Natural Stone Medley. The pressure intensified across all five groups as final qualification spots came down to small margins.

Day One had already separated some contenders, but most groups remained tightly packed heading into the final day. A single event win or failure could swing an entire qualification campaign. As a result, every pull, step, and stone carry carried massive weight for the athletes still in contention.

By the end of Day Two, the full finals lineup was confirmed. Several expected names advanced, while a few major shocks reshaped the story of the qualifiers. Most notably, Tom Stoltman’s elimination stood out as the biggest upset of the stage.

2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day Two Point Standings [Live Updates]

The final standings reflected two days of high-intensity competition across five groups. While some leaders maintained control throughout, others had to fight until the final events to secure qualification. The Truck Pull and Natural Stone Medley ultimately determined the outcome.

Consistency proved just as important as event wins, with several athletes qualifying through steady mid-pack finishes. In contrast, a few competitors who started slowly could not recover in time. The points system rewarded balance across all five events.

When the final points were tallied, ten athletes advanced to the finals. Each group sent forward its top two competitors, while the rest of the field was eliminated. The qualifiers ended with both expected results and major surprises.

Group One

Athlete	Points	Status
🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	21	Qualified
🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	17	Qualified
🇬🇧 Luke Richardson	14	—
🇬🇧 Ben Glasscock	13	—
🇨🇦 Tristain Hoath	10	—

Rayno Nel controlled Group One from start to finish, using speed and consistency across all events. He never dropped out of the top positions when it mattered most. That stability secured him the group win and a return to the finals.

Nick Guardione delivered a strong and steady performance throughout both days. He held off Luke Richardson in the closing stages to secure second place. His consistency under pressure proved decisive in qualification.

Luke Richardson finished third after an inconsistent but competitive showing. Ben Glasscock and Tristain Hoath could not break into the top two positions. Both athletes were eliminated after the final event.

Group Two

Athlete	Points	Status
🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	21	Qualified
🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	15	Qualified
🇿🇦 Jaco Schoonwinkel	14	—
🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman	14	—
🇺🇸 Levi Strong	11	—

Austin Andrade dominated Group Two with three event wins across the qualifiers. His speed and consistency allowed him to maintain control from Day One. That performance secured first place in the group.

Mathew Ragg held second after a strong and disciplined campaign. He stayed ahead of late pressure from Jaco Schoonwinkel and Tom Stoltman. His early scoring cushion proved critical.

The biggest shock came from Tom Stoltman missing the finals. The three-time World’s Strongest Man failed to finish inside the top two for the first time in eight years. His elimination became one of the defining stories of the competition.

Group Three

Athlete	Points	Status
🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	22	Qualified
🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	17	Qualified
🇺🇸 Lucas Hatton	15	—
🇨🇿 Matyáš Funiok	13	—
🇬🇧 Paddy Haynes	8	—

Mitchell Hooper dominated Group Three with consistency across all five events. He rarely dropped below the top two positions, which secured his qualification early. His control of the group never fully wavered.

Eddie Williams followed in second place after a steady and efficient performance. He avoided major mistakes and held off Lucas Hatton in key moments. That consistency carried him into the finals.

Lucas Hatton narrowly missed qualification despite strong individual results. Matyáš Funiok impressed in his debut with competitive finishes. Paddy Haynes finished at the bottom of the group standings.

Group Four

Athlete	Points	Status
🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	23	Qualified
🇱🇻 Martins Licis	19	Qualified
🇺🇸 James Jeffers	13	—
🇺🇸 Bryce Johnson	10	Withdrew
🇳🇱 Kevin Hazeleger	4	Withdrew

Ondrej Fojtu dominated Group Four from start to finish with three event wins. He built a strong lead early and never looked threatened. That control secured him first place in the group.

Martins Licis followed in second after a strong and steady performance. Even with withdrawals in the group, he maintained focus across all events. His experience helped him secure qualification comfortably.

James Jeffers finished third behind the two qualifiers. Bryce Johnson and Kevin Hazeleger both withdrew during Day Two. Their exits reduced competition pressure in the final events.

Group Five

Athlete	Points	Status
🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	18	Qualified
🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	18	Qualified
🇬🇧 Andrew Flynn	16.5	—
🇺🇸 Evan Singleton	13	—
🇬🇭 Evans Nana	8.5	—

Group Five delivered one of the tightest battles of the entire qualifiers. Pavlo Kordiyaka and Trey Mitchell finished level on points after five events. Both secured qualification through strong closing performances.

Andrew Flynn finished just short of the finals after a strong effort. Evan Singleton struggled with consistency across events despite flashes of form. Evans Nana completed the group in last place.

The final standings showed how narrow the margins were throughout the group. One event could have changed the entire outcome. Instead, the top two held firm under pressure.

Event Recap — Day Two Qualifiers

Day Two featured two decisive events that determined the final standings. The Truck Pull tested raw power and traction under extreme load. The Natural Stone Medley tested endurance, technique, and fatigue management.

Across both events, small differences in time created major shifts in the standings. Athletes who performed consistently across both days secured qualification. Those who faltered in one event often dropped out of contention.

By the end of the day, the final ten-man lineup was locked in. The qualifiers ended with both expected winners and major surprises across multiple groups.

Event Four — Truck Pull

The Truck Pull opened Day Two of the qualifiers with raw power and traction challenges. Athletes had to move a 25,000-kilogram truck over 25 meters within 60 seconds. While the weight remained fixed, friction and surface conditions created major differences in performance.

Across all groups, execution mattered as much as strength. Some athletes exploded off the start line, while others struggled to maintain momentum under fatigue. The event reshuffled several group standings heading into the final medley.

By the end of the event, a few athletes secured their qualification mathematically. Others stayed in tight battles that would carry into the final event of the qualifiers.

Group One

Athlete	Time
🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	35.03s
🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	37.69s
🇬🇧 Luke Richardson	38.91s
🇬🇧 Ben Glasscock	42.06s
🇨🇦 Tristain Hoath	43.00s

Rayno Nel extended his dominance with another event win in the Truck Pull. His 35.03-second run proved unmatched in Group One. That performance strengthened his overall lead heading into the final event.

Nick Guardione placed second with another controlled performance. Luke Richardson followed in third, staying in contention for qualification. The group remained tightly separated behind Nel.

Ben Glasscock and Tristain Hoath fell further behind in the standings. Their qualification chances became increasingly difficult. The group leader gap widened again.

Group Two

Athlete	Time
🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	34.69s
🇺🇸 Levi Strong	34.84s
🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman	37.59s
🇿🇦 Jaco Schoonwinkel	37.94s
🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	38.69s

Austin Andrade secured another event win with a fast and controlled pull. His 34.69-second run kept him firmly in first place. That result confirmed his qualification trajectory.

Levi Strong followed closely behind, pushing Andrade until the finish. Tom Stoltman placed third, improving his position after a difficult opening day. The battle for second tightened significantly.

Mathew Ragg and Jaco Schoonwinkel lost ground in the event. However, both remained in contention heading into the final medley. The group stayed competitive overall.

Group Three

Athlete	Time
🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	33.02s
🇨🇿 Matyáš Funiok	35.22s
🇺🇸 Lucas Hatton	35.25s
🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	36.50s
🇬🇧 Paddy Haynes	38.34s

Mitchell Hooper delivered one of the fastest Truck Pulls of the entire competition. His 33.02-second run showed elite speed and control. That result reinforced his lead in Group Three.

Matyáš Funiok and Lucas Hatton finished almost neck-and-neck. Only fractions separated second and third place. Eddie Williams remained close but slightly behind.

Paddy Haynes completed the group in fifth. The standings tightened significantly heading into the final event. Qualification remained undecided.

Group Four

Athlete	Time
🇱🇻 Martins Licis	36.09s
🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	37.94s
🇺🇸 James Jeffers	38.28s
🇺🇸 Bryce Johnson	Withdrew
🇳🇱 Kevin Hazeleger	Withdrew

Martins Licis took the Truck Pull win in Group Four. His 36.09-second performance gave him a clear edge. That result reinforced his position in the standings.

Ondrej Fojtu followed in second, staying consistent across events. James Jeffers placed third with a strong but slightly slower run. Withdrawals simplified the group structure.

Bryce Johnson and Kevin Hazeleger officially withdrew. Their exits confirmed Licis and Fojtu’s qualification path. The group became more straightforward as a result.

Group Five

Athlete	Time
🇬🇧 Andrew Flynn	35.78s
🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	37.66s
🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	39.03s
🇬🇭 Evans Nana	39.16s
🇺🇸 Evan Singleton	39.97s

Andrew Flynn won the Truck Pull in Group Five. His 35.78-second run kept him in contention for qualification. The group remained extremely tight.

Pavlo Kordiyaka and Trey Mitchell followed closely behind. Only seconds separated the top three athletes. Evan Singleton trailed slightly after a slower run.

Evans Nana finished just ahead of Singleton. The standings stayed extremely close heading into the final event. Everything remained open.

Event Five — Natural Stone Medley

The Natural Stone Medley closed the qualifiers with a demanding test of strength and endurance. Athletes faced four stone challenges, including lifts, carries, and loads. The time limit was set at two minutes.

Fatigue from two days of competition played a major role. Small technical errors cost valuable seconds. The event became the final decider for qualification across all groups.

By the end of the medley, the final ten athletes for the 2026 World’s Strongest Man were confirmed.

Group One

Athlete	Result
🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	4 in 43.70s
🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	4 in 71.38s
🇨🇦 Tristain Hoath	4 in 80.25s
🇬🇧 Ben Glasscock	4 in 107.82s
🇬🇧 Luke Richardson	2 + 6.10m

Rayno Nel completed a dominant qualifiers run with another event win. His 43.70-second medley sealed first place in Group One. That confirmed his top seeding heading into the finals.

Nick Guardione secured second with a solid performance. Tristain Hoath and Ben Glasscock followed behind. Luke Richardson failed to complete all stones fully.

Nel and Guardione advanced to the finals. The group concluded with a clear separation at the top.

Group Two

Athlete	Result
🇿🇦 Jaco Schoonwinkel	4 in 60.65s
🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	4 in 101.41s
🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman	3 in 50.16s
🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	3 in 82.35s
🇺🇸 Levi Strong	3 in 100.73s

Jaco Schoonwinkel won the event with a strong stone run. His performance moved him up the standings. However, it was not enough to qualify.

Austin Andrade and Mathew Ragg secured the top two qualification spots. Tom Stoltman narrowly missed out despite a strong final effort. That marked a major upset.

Levi Strong completed the group. The final standings confirmed Andrade and Ragg for the finals.

Group Three

Athlete	Result
🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	4 in 52.81s
🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	4 in 55.03s
🇨🇿 Matyáš Funiok	4 in 58.81s
🇬🇧 Paddy Haynes	4 in 67.81s
🇺🇸 Lucas Hatton	1 in 27.50s

Mitchell Hooper completed a dominant qualifiers campaign with another event win. His 52.81-second run secured Group Three. That confirmed his status as a title favorite.

Eddie Williams also advanced after a strong second-place finish. Matyáš Funiok impressed in his debut performance. Lucas Hatton fell short after an early exit in the event.

Hooper and Williams advanced comfortably. The group ended with clear separation.

Group Four

Athlete	Result
🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	4 in 80.83s
🇱🇻 Martins Licis	4 in 92.22s
🇺🇸 James Jeffers	3 in 84.67s
🇳🇱 Kevin Hazeleger	Withdrew
🇺🇸 Bryce Johnson	Withdrew

Ondrej Fojtu secured another event win to complete a dominant group stage. Martins Licis followed closely behind to secure qualification. Both advanced comfortably.

James Jeffers finished third but fell short overall. Withdrawals earlier in the day simplified the final outcome. The top two remained clear.

Fojtu and Licis moved into the finals. The group ended decisively.

Group Five

Athlete	Result
🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	4 in 67.00s
🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	4 in 72.75s
🇬🇧 Andrew Flynn	4 in 97.66s
🇺🇸 Evan Singleton	1 + 13.40m
🇬🇭 Evans Nana	No Lift

Pavlo Kordiyaka won the final event to secure qualification. Trey Mitchell followed closely to take the second spot. Both advanced after a tight battle.

Andrew Flynn finished third after a strong but insufficient performance. Evan Singleton and Evans Nana were eliminated. The group concluded with a clear top two.

Kordiyaka and Mitchell completed the final qualification spots. The finals lineup was officially locked.

Remaining WSM Schedule

Day Three and Day Four now shift into the finals. Events will intensify with heavier loads and more technical demands. The title race officially begins.

Remaining Schedule — 2026 World’s Strongest Man

Day	Date	Events	Time (Local – Myrtle Beach)
Day Three	Saturday, April 25th	Knaack® Monster Box® Flip & Carry	10:00 AM
		Deadlift	1:00 PM
		Titan’s Toss	3:00 PM
Day Four	Sunday, April 26th	Max Log	10:00 AM
		Atlas Stones	1:30 PM
		WSM Trophy Ceremony	2:45 PM

FINAL QUALIFIED ATHLETES

Athlete	Nation
🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	South Africa
🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	USA
🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	Mexico
🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	New Zealand
🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	Canada
🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	Australia
🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	Czech Republic
🇱🇻 Martins Licis	Latvia
🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	Ukraine
🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	USA

2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day One Qualifiers

The Day one of 2026 World’s Strongest Man officially began on April 23 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Day One of the qualifying stage featured 25 athletes divided across five groups. Three demanding events quickly tested speed, power and endurance.

By the end of the opening day, only one athlete had built a clear cushion. 🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu moved four points ahead in Group Four. Every other group remained tightly contested.

That means Day Two now carries enormous weight. Several contenders sit only one or two points apart. One strong performance could still change everything.

The first day also produced several major storylines. Former champions recovered from slow starts, newcomers impressed and favorites felt pressure early. The race for the final remains wide open.

2026 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day One Qualifiers

Day One Point Standings

The standings after three events show how difficult qualifying can be. Four of the five groups remain unsettled. No athlete outside Group Four holds real comfort.

Several projected favorites sit in strong positions. However, none have secured anything yet. The final qualifying day can erase an early lead quickly.

Meanwhile, some athletes climbed after rough openings. Others slipped after fast starts. Those swings created tension across the leaderboard.

Group One Standings

🏅 Place	Athlete	Points
1	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	11
2	🇬🇧 Luke Richardson	10
3	🇬🇧 Ben Glasscock	9
4	🇺🇸 Nick Guardione	9
5	🇨🇦 Tristain Hoath	6

🇿🇦 Rayno Nel leads Group One after a balanced opening day. He did not dominate every event, but he avoided mistakes. That consistency now has him in first place.

🇬🇧 Luke Richardson sits only one point behind after a huge squat performance. His recovery after a modest start changed the group picture. He now looks dangerous again.

🇬🇧 Ben Glasscock and 🇺🇸 Nick Guardione remain tied just one point behind Richardson. That leaves four men firmly in the race. Group One may come down to the final event.

Group Two Standings

🏅 Place	Athlete	Points
1	🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	12
2	🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	12
3	🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman	8
4	🇿🇦 Jaco Schoonwinkel	7
5	🇺🇸 Levi Strong	6

🇲🇽 Austin Andrade and 🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg share the lead after three events. Both men delivered steady performances throughout the day. Neither gave away many points.

🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman remains in striking range despite a poor opening event. His rebound in the press and squat kept him alive. Experience could matter greatly on Day Two.

🇿🇦 Jaco Schoonwinkel and 🇺🇸 Levi Strong still have paths forward as well. The gap is manageable with two events left. This group remains highly competitive.

Group Three Standings

🏅 Place	Athlete	Points
1	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper	12
2	🇺🇸 Lucas Hatton	11
3	🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	11
4	🇨🇿 Matyáš Funiok	6
5	🇬🇧 Paddy Haynes	5

🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper leads Group Three through consistency. He repeatedly finished near the top without wasting energy. That strategy often works well in qualifying rounds.

🇺🇸 Lucas Hatton surged back into contention with wins later in the day. 🇦🇺 Eddie Williams also stayed level with Hatton after a strong opening event. The pressure on Hooper remains real.

🇨🇿 Matyáš Funiok and 🇬🇧 Paddy Haynes trail, but neither is eliminated. Strongman standings can move quickly. This group still has room for surprises.

Group Four Standings

🏅 Place	Athlete	Points
1	🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	14
2	🇺🇸 Bryce Johnson	10
3	🇱🇻 Martins Licis	10
4	🇨🇦 James Jeffers	7
5	🇳🇱 Kevin Hazeleger	4
—	🇬🇧 Adam Bishop	Withdrew

🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu owns the largest lead in the competition after a superb first day. He won the first two events and stayed efficient in the squat. That has made him the man to catch.

🇺🇸 Bryce Johnson and 🇱🇻 Martins Licis share second place on ten points. Both remain well positioned if Fojtu slips. Neither can afford a mistake.

🇬🇧 Adam Bishop withdrew, which changed the group dynamic. 🇨🇦 James Jeffers and 🇳🇱 Kevin Hazeleger now chase from behind. Still, the qualifying spots remain open.

Group Five Standings

🏅 Place	Athlete	Points
1	🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	11
2	🇺🇸 Evan Singleton	10
3	🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka	9
4	🇬🇧 Andrew Flynn	8.5
5	🇬🇭 Evans Nana	6.5

🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell now leads after a dramatic turnaround. He finished last in the first event, then won the next two. Few athletes changed momentum more sharply.

🇺🇸 Evan Singleton sits only one point back after winning the opener. His return from injury has looked impressive so far. He remains a serious threat.

🇺🇦 Pavlo Kordiyaka and 🇬🇧 Andrew Flynn remain close enough to strike. Even 🇬🇭 Evans Nana still has a path with a big Day Two. This may be the tightest group.

Event One — Carry & Climb

The opening event combined speed and endurance immediately. Athletes first carried two 140-kilogram Farmer’s Walk implements for 33 meters. Then they attacked 225 kilograms up nine Power Stairs.

The challenge punished anyone who opened too fast. Several athletes looked strong early, then faded late. Others paced the event better and gained points.

Most importantly, the first event created instant scoreboard pressure. Poor finishes forced favorites to chase the rest of the day. Early success also boosted confidence.

🏅 Group Winners	Result
🇿🇦 Rayno Nel	Group One
🇳🇿 Mathew Ragg	Group Two
🇦🇺 Eddie Williams	Group Three
🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	Group Four
🇺🇸 Evan Singleton	Group Five

🇿🇦 Rayno Nel impressed with 37.06 seconds. 🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman finished last in his group after trouble on the stairs. 🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell also struggled because of grip issues tied to a nerve injury.

Event Two — Circus Press Medley

The second event shifted focus to overhead power. Athletes pressed three dumbbells before chasing reps on a heavy barbell. They had 75 seconds to score as much as possible.

Technique mattered as much as strength here. Fast transitions and clean lockouts saved valuable seconds. Efficient athletes separated themselves quickly.

Several contenders used this event to recover from slow starts. Others missed a chance to build a cushion. The standings tightened again.

🏅 Group Winners	Result
🇬🇧 Ben Glasscock	Group One
🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	Group Two
🇺🇸 Lucas Hatton	Group Three
🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu	Group Four
🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	Group Five

🇨🇿 Ondrej Fojtu again looked elite with one of the best marks of the field. 🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell answered his poor opener with a crucial win. 🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman also gained needed points.

Event Three — Squat Lift

Day One ended with the return of the squat lift, a rare modern Strongman event. Athletes faced 320 kilograms for maximum reps in one minute. Many considered it one of the hardest tests of the week.

Because little training footage had emerged, predictions were difficult. Some athletes exceeded expectations, while others struggled. That uncertainty made the event compelling.

The squat also demanded grit after two exhausting earlier events. Recovery mattered as much as leg strength. Late in the day, fatigue became visible.

🏅 Group Winners	Result
🇬🇧 Luke Richardson	16 reps
🇲🇽 Austin Andrade	16 reps
🇺🇸 Lucas Hatton	17 reps
🇱🇻 Martins Licis	14 reps
🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell	15 reps

🇬🇧 Luke Richardson produced one of the strongest moments of the day. 🇺🇸 Trey Mitchell claimed a second straight event win. 🇱🇻 Martins Licis also moved himself back into the fight.

Remaining Schedule

Day Two now brings the final qualifying events. Those results will determine the ten finalists. Every point now carries added weight.

Saturday and Sunday then shift to the championship round. The surviving athletes will face heavier implements and higher pressure. The title remains far from decided.

Fans should expect movement across nearly every group. Most races remain too close to call. Friday may prove the most important day of the week.

🗓️ Day	Events
Friday, April 24	Truck Pull, Natural Stone Medley
Saturday, April 25	Knaack® Monster Box® Flip & Carry, Deadlift, Titan’s Toss
Sunday, April 26	Max Log, Atlas Stones, Trophy Ceremony

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.

Year	🏆 Winner
1977	🇺🇸 Bruce Wilhelm
1978	🇺🇸 Bruce Wilhelm
1979	🇺🇸 Don Reinhoudt
1980	🇺🇸 Bill Kazmaier
1981	🇺🇸 Bill Kazmaier
1982	🇺🇸 Bill Kazmaier
1983	🇬🇧 Geoff Capes
1984	🇮🇸 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
1985	🇬🇧 Geoff Capes
1986	🇮🇸 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
1987	Not Held
1988	🇮🇸 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
1989	🇬🇧 Jamie Reeves
1990	🇮🇸 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
1991	🇮🇸 Magnús Ver Magnússon
1992	🇳🇱 Ted van der Parre
1993	🇬🇧 Gary Taylor
1994	🇮🇸 Magnús Ver Magnússon
1995	🇮🇸 Magnús Ver Magnússon
1996	🇮🇸 Magnús Ver Magnússon
1997	🇫🇮 Jouko Ahola
1998	🇸🇪 Magnus Samuelsson
1999	🇫🇮 Jouko Ahola
2000	🇫🇮 Janne Virtanen
2001	🇳🇴 Svend Karlsen
2002	🇵🇱 Mariusz Pudzianowski
2003	🇵🇱 Mariusz Pudzianowski
2004	🇺🇦 Vasyl Virastyuk
2005	🇵🇱 Mariusz Pudzianowski
2006	🇺🇸 Phil Pfister
2007	🇵🇱 Mariusz Pudzianowski
2008	🇵🇱 Mariusz Pudzianowski
2009	🇱🇹 Žydrūnas Savickas
2010	🇱🇹 Žydrūnas Savickas
2011	🇺🇸 Brian Shaw
2012	🇱🇹 Žydrūnas Savickas
2013	🇺🇸 Brian Shaw
2014	🇱🇹 Žydrūnas Savickas
2015	🇺🇸 Brian Shaw
2016	🇺🇸 Brian Shaw
2017	🇬🇧 Eddie Hall
2018	🇮🇸 Hafthor Bjornsson
2019	🇺🇸 Martins Licis
2020	🇺🇦 Oleksii Novikov
2021	🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman
2022	🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman
2023	🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper
2024	🇬🇧 Tom Stoltman
2025	🇿🇦 Rayno Nel

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Overview

The 2026 World’s Strongest Man showcased a deep and highly competitive field. Veterans, rising stars, and former champions all challenged for points throughout the week. That depth made every event meaningful from qualifiers through the finals.

The new carryover scoring system again played a major role. Strong qualifying performances gave athletes an early edge, but the finals still demanded elite execution. Hooper’s comeback proved that no lead was safe.

This edition also reinforced the sport’s global strength. Finalists represented multiple nations, and contenders emerged from every stage of the contest. The 2026 championship may be remembered as one of the most balanced and dramatic WSM editions in recent years.

🇨🇦 Mitchell Hooper leaves Myrtle Beach with another world title and a stronger legacy. The 2026 World’s Strongest Man delivered elite performances, dramatic momentum swings, and a finale worthy of the sport’s biggest stage.

Featured Image – 2026 World’s Strongest Man Full Results (Live Coverage) – Credit: @theworldsstrongestman (Instagram)