South Africa’s Rayno Nel becomes first African to win the World’s Strongest Man competition

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Rayno Nel has made history by becoming the first African to win the World’s Strongest Man competition on Sunday.

It was also the first victory by a rookie at the event since 1997.

"I'm just over the moon. 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,” said to USA TODAY Sports.

At World's Strongest Man, competitors earn points based on the order of finish in each event, with the top finisher getting the most points.

"Rugby was what I thought I would do for my sport career. I didn't think I'd do any sport ever again," he said. "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."

On Saturday, The former Cheetahs and Central University of Technology rugby player won the opener, the Carry & Hoist, for a full bag of 10 points, and finished second in the deadlift and Hercules holds, earning nine points in each.

Nel returned on Sunday for the final two competitions, managing only three points in the Flintstone press, but the eight points he secured in the final Atlas stones competition earned him the narrow victory. He started the final with eight points earned for placing third in the heats stage of the competition.

The South African won by half-a-point over defending champion and three-time winner Tom Stoltman of Britain.

Before being called up by the Cheetahs, the 30-year-old who captained CUT in three successive Varsity Cup campaigns, told USA TODAY he wouldn’t be able to celebrate by drinking his favourite beer, Black Label.

"I'll try out some American beer tonight.”