Former Cheetahs rugby player crowned World's Strongest Man
Nel switched to strongman competitions in 2023 and won South Africa's Strongest Man event twice before claiming the global title as a rookie.
The 30-year-old is over 1.9m tall and weighs 148kg.
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Former Cheetahs rugby player Rayno Nel has made history by becoming the first African to win the prestigious World's Strongest Man title.
The 30-year-old Nel ousted defending champion Tom Stoltman by half a point in the two-day final to claim the title in Sacramento, California on Sunday.
It was also the first victory by a rookie at the event since 1997.
Nel, who is 1.91m tall weighs 148kg, played loose forward for the Cheetahs and also captained CUT in the Varsity Cup for three seasons.
🥇🥈🥉 @SBDApparel | #WSM2025 pic.twitter.com/m94tL5nOx7
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) May 19, 2025
'I'm just over the moon,' he told USA TODAY Sports.
'To represent (South Africa) in any way whatsoever, it feels surreal. I mean, we're a small country with a lot of struggles. To have something like this I know means a lot to my people.'
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Rayno Nel is your 2025 @SBDApparel World's Strongest Man 🇿🇦🏆🌎 #WSM2025 pic.twitter.com/yxxEGTvvQw
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) May 18, 2025
Nel switched to strongman competitions in 2023 and won South Africa's Strongest Man competition two years in a row.
'Rugby was what I thought I would do for my sport career. I didn't think I'd do any sport ever again. But I always had this competitive side to me, so when I stopped playing rugby, I knew I needed to do something competitive. That's just who I am,' he added.
Nel works as an electrical engineer.
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