Rayno Nel (born 9 May 1995) is a South African strongman competitor from Krugersdorp. He is the 2025 World's Strongest Man champion and the first winner of the title from South Africa, the continent of Africa and the southern hemisphere.
He is also a two times Africa's Strongest Man, two times South Africa's Strongest Man and the defending Strongman Champions League world champion.
Career Nel started his career as a Rugby player, playing for the Central University of Technology and Free State Cheetahs. In 2023, he tried strongman by participating in South Africa's Strongest Man competition, where he emerged victorious. With back-to-back victories, he was invited to the Siberian Power Show and the Strongman Champions League to compete alongside other leading international athletes.
Despite a foot fracture which occurred in event two, he placed fourth at 2024 Siberian Power Show and then went on a dominant run, winning 2024 SCL Holland, 2024 SCL Africa and 2024 SCL World Finals.
In 2025, Nel was given a wildcard invite to the 2025 World's Strongest Man Competition. In a group filled with seasoned pros, such as 2x podium finisher Mateusz Kieliszkowski and runner up at the Arnold Strongman Classic Lucas Hatton, he won his group and proceeded to defeat both former champions Mitchell Hooper and Tom Stoltman in the final to win the World's Strongest Man.
After his victory at WSM, Nel recorded two further victories over successive weekends at the Strongman Champions League, SCL Italy and SCL Holland.
Nel made his debut on the Giants Live circuit in July 2025, finishing 4th at the Strongman Classic behind Evan Singleton, fellow South African Jaco Schoonwinkel and Paddy Haynes.
Having come 8th at the Rogue Invitational at the start of the month, Nel claimed his 9th international title in November 2025 at the SCL World Finals in his native Upington, South Africa. Nel won six of the seven events, breaking multiple SCL records in the process, to win his sixth successive SCL meet.
In April 2026, Nel came 2nd at World's Strongest Man narrowly missing out on the title to Mitchell Hooper.
Personal records Deadlift (for max) – × 5 reps (2026 World's Strongest Man) Elevated Wheel Deadlift (from 18 inches) – (2025 World's Strongest Man) Log press (for max) – (2026 World's Strongest Man) Log press (for reps) – × 7 reps (2024 SCL Africa) Flintstone barbell push press (behind the neck) – (2025 World's Strongest Man) Squat (for reps) – × 13 reps (2026 World's Strongest Man) Atlas Stones – 5 stones weighing in 47.72 seconds (2024 SCL Holland) Natural Stone loading (low platforms) – 4 rocks weighing in 17.19 seconds (2024 SCL World Finals) (World Record) Shield Carry – (World Record) (2025 SCL World Finals) Hercules Hold – (SCL Record) (2025 SCL World Finals) Steinstossen (SCL version) – for (2024 SCL World Finals) Truck pull – over 25 meters in 33.34 seconds (2024 SCL Holland)
Competitive record Winning percentage: Podium percentage:
Major Competitions Year Competition Placing Location Notes 2026 Giants Live Strongman Classic 3rd London, England 2026 World's Strongest Man 2nd Myrtle Beach, United States Narrowly missed the title to Mitchell Hooper by 2 points. 2025 SCL World Finals 1st Upington, South Africa Successfully defended his SCL World Champion title in front of a home crowd; set a new Shield Carry world record. 2025 Rogue Invitational 8th Aberdeen, Scotland 2025 Giants Live Strongman Classic 4th London, England 2025 SCL Holland 1st Doetinchem, Netherlands 2025 SCL Italy 1st Crema, Italy 2025 World's Strongest Man 1st Sacramento, United States First rookie to win since 1997, and the first winner from South Africa and the African continent. 2024 Africa's Strongest Man 1st South Africa 2024 South Africa's Strongest Man 1st Mossel Bay, South Africa Successfully defended his national title. 2024 SCL World Finals 1st Secured his first Strongman Champions League World title. 2024 SCL Africa 1st 2024 SCL Holland 1st Nel's international debut and first SCL victory. 2024 Siberian Power Show 4th Placed 4th despite suffering a foot fracture during the second event. 2023 South Africa's Strongest Man 1st Rustenburg, South Africa Won the title in his rookie strongman season.
Personal life Nel balances his athletic training with a full-time career as an electrical engineer.
Prior to his strongman career, Nel was a competitive rugby union player. He served as the captain of the CUT Ixias university rugby team for three consecutive seasons in the Varsity Cup and later played professionally as a flanker for the Free State Cheetahs.
Filmography
Television Year Title Role Notes 2025-2026 World's Strongest Man Himself – Competitor 1x Champion 2026 Battle of the Beasts Himself – Competitor
References