*all photos are owned by World’s Strongest Man
Life
Rayno is the first South African, or indeed African, to become World’s Strongest Man. He claimed the sport’s top prize in Sacramento on May 18th, on his first appearance at the contest – a feat not achieved since Finland’s Jouko Ahola won the 1997 competition. Relatively inexperienced at the highest level of Strongman, Rayno’s victory came as a surprise to many, although many in the know had tipped him to achieve big things!
Unusually for an athlete of his calibre, Rayno works full time as an electrical engineer having studied for his master’s degree at Central University of Technology. Born in Upington, he resides in Krugersdorp, a mining city in the West Rand. Unsurprisingly, for a man of his athletic ability, he played rugby before moving into strength sports and represented Free State Cheetahs, as well as his university. Tying the know with Monja Nel in March 2025, married life must certainly have agreed with him – withing two months he became World’s Strongest Man!
Career
Having begun international Strongman competition in 2023, to claim the World’s Strongest Man title during only his third season is a staggering accomplishment. Rayno has only ever lost one Strongman competition, which was his first big overseas contest – The 2024 Siberian Power Show, in which he placed 4th.
Having already claimed the African and South African titles the year before, he was invited to compete on the Strongman Champions League circuit and show the European competitors what he was made of. Appearing in three contests throughout 2024, he completely dominated, winning an incredible twelve of the sixteen total events contested. He took top honours in Holland, Cape Town, and then at the World Finals in Turkey, securing a four-point victory over Evans Nana and Aivars Šmaukstelis.
A second African and South African title preceded his invite to Worlds. Drawn against the likes of Lucas Hatton, Mateusz Kieliszkowski and Shane Flowers, he dominated his group, amassing more points than any other athlete from all five groups. His performance placed him 3rd overall going into the five events of the Grand Final, ranked just behind defending champion, Tom Stoltman and 2023 winner, Mitchell Hooper. With most expecting a two-horse race between the Moose and the Albatross, Rayno had other ideas and turned the contest on its head. His win is the first by any athlete from the southern hemisphere or by anyone outside of Europe and North America.
Rayno followed up his WSM victory with back-to-back wins at the Italy and Holland Strongman Champions League events, extending his winning streak to seven consecutive contents.
Best Title
In May 2025, Rayno caused one of the biggest upsets in World’s Strongest Man history when he clinched a 0.5-point victory over three-time champ Tom Stoltman to take the sport’s biggest title. Shocking the Sacramento crowds as he out-lifted pre-event favourites such as Mitchell Hooper and Tom Stoltman, he became only the third man to win on his debut performance. Topping his group with ease, Rayno took the final’s opening event and as his main rivals struggled with the Deadlift and Hercules Hold, his back-to-back 2nd places gave him a 7-point lead going into Day 2. Giving up points in the Flintstone Press, he had a nervous wait to find out if his Atlas Stone time was quick enough to hold off Stoltman’s second day charge, and with just under a second to spare he was confirmed the new champion.
Competition Results
2025 World’s Strongest Man: Winner
Africa’s Strongest Man: 2023 & 2024 Winner
South Africa’s Strongest Man: 2023 & 2024 Winner
2024 Strongman Champions League World Finals: Winner
Strongman Champions League:
2025 Holland: Winner
2025 Italy: Winner
2024 Africa: Winner
2024 Holland: Winner
2024 Siberian Power Show: 4th place
Best Lifts
18-inch Deadlift: 490kg/1,080lb
Flintstone Barbell Press: 188kg/414lb
Log Lift: 150kg/331lb x 7-reps in 60 seconds
Farmer’s Walk: 150kg/331lb in each hand for 40m in 17.07 seconds
Media
Rayno’s online presence is a growing one and he can be found on Instagram: @raynonel_strongman, where he keeps his followers updated with all the training, competing and appearances that a World’s Strongest Man winner must go through. He is also on Facebook: Rayno Nel. On YouTube there’s a growing list of videos featuring his exploits with doubtless much more to come. His performance at Worlds will be available to view on CBS and Channel 5 later this year.
