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

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

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

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

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

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SBD World’s Strongest Man (@theworldsstrongestman)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SBD World’s Strongest Man (@theworldsstrongestman)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SBD USA (@sbd.usa)

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.

FINAL QUALIFIED ATHLETES

Previous World’s Strongest Man Winners

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]

Overview

The 2026 World’s Strongest Man qualifiers ended with a mix of dominance, consistency, and major upsets. Rayno Nel, Mitchell Hooper, and Ondrej Fojtu stood out as the most dominant group winners across two days of competition. Their performances set the tone for the finals.

However, the biggest shock came from Tom Stoltman missing the finals after years of podium consistency. Several tight groups came down to final-event pressure, especially Group Five, where Pavlo Kordiyaka and Trey Mitchell tied on points.

Now the focus shifts entirely to the finals. With ten elite athletes remaining, the battle for the 2026 World’s Strongest Man title officially begins.