Two-time Strongman King: South Africa's Rayno Nel dominates SCL World Championship

South Africa’s Rayno Nel successfully defended his 2025 Strongman Champions League (SCL) World Champion title in Upington, breaking two world records in the process.

The prestigious SCL World Championship concluded on Sunday at Hoërskool Duineveld in Upington, Northern Cape, where Nel was crowned champion, successfully defending his 2024 title and securing his position as a two-time SCL World Champion.

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

Nel dominated the competition, winning six events and finishing at the top of the podium for the second consecutive year.

Nel set a new Shield Carry world record on the opening day, and on the second day, he shattered the SCL Hercules Hold record.

International competitors also delivered strong performances:

Kevin Hazeleger of Holland finished in second place.

Adam Roszkowski of Poland took third place.

A Year of Historic Achievements

The 2025 SCL victory follows a historic year for Nel, who also secured the 2025 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Champion title, making him the first African to win the WSM competition. It was also the first victory by a rookie at that event since 1997.

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.

Nel’s achievements include:

Winning South Africa’s Strongest Man and Africa’s Strongest Man titles twice each.

Remarkable personal records, include an 18-inch deadlift of 490kg, a 150kg log press for seven reps, a world record in natural stone loading and pulling a 16-tonne truck over 25 metres in just over 33 seconds.

He is also a former rugby player, having played for and captained CUT in three successive Varsity Cup campaigns.