Rayno Nel can’t believe he’s the World Strongest Man: ‘It still doesn’t feel real’
He took the 2025 title by just half a point.
World's Strongest Man, Rayno Nel. Photo: 702
702’s John Perlman speaks with the 2025 World’s Strongest Man, Rayno Nel.
Listen below:
The 30-year-old former rugby player took the crown at this year’s competition in the US by half a point.
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“I must still get used to it [the title], it still doesn’t feel real. But it’s just an amazing feeling.”
– Rayno Nel, World’s Strongest Man 2025
Fun fact: you'd never say it from his build but Nel was actually a late bloomer.
He only really started filliing out towards the later end of high school and university. And Nel says it's not genetic.
“I am about a head taller than anyone else in my family… So, I am not sure [where it came from].”
– Rayno Nel, 2025 World’s Strongest Man
Nel says the Strongman competition goes beyond how much the guys can bench press.
It is about several aspects that require technique.
This includes a Carry and Hoist event, where you carry 250 kgs in front of you for 20 meters and an Arm over Arm Pull, which includes pulling a rope with an object attached at the end.
Another event, the iconic Atlas Stone, includes lifting five heavy, spherical stones which increase in weight from 140kg to 210 kg.
RELATED: WATCH: Rayno Nel ‘amazed’ he won World’s Strongest Man
“That is the 10th event over a course of four days. What makes that event and the finish so interesting is, I needed to be the third-best time to secure the title.”
– Rayno Nel, 2025 World’s Strongest Man
“That is why I love the sport, every competition is different, you need to be so adaptable to the implements on the day that are set out in front of you.”
– Rayno Nel, World’s Strongest Man 2025
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion