Rayno Nel

Last updated

Rayno Nel
Personal information
Nationality South African
Born (1995-05-09) 9 May 1995 (age 30)
Upington, South Africa
Occupation Strongman
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight148 kg (326 lb)
SpouseMarried
Medal record
Strongman
Representing Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
World's Strongest Man
1st 2025 World's Strongest Man
Giants Live
4th2025 Strongman Classic
Strongman Champions League
1st2024 SCL Holland
1st2024 SCL Africa
1st2024 SCL World Finals
1st2025 SCL Italy
1st2025 SCL Holland
Siberian Power Show
4th2024 Siberian Power Show
Africa's Strongest Man
1st2023 Africa's Strongest Man
1st2024 Africa's Strongest Man
South Africa's Strongest Man
1st2023 South Africa's Strongest Man
1st2024 South Africa's Strongest Man

Rayno Nel (born 9 May 1995) is a South African strongman competitor from Krugersdorp [1] [2] and the reigning World's Strongest Man (WSM). 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. [3] Nel is the first WSM winner from South Africa, the continent of Africa and the southern hemisphere.

Contents

Career

Nel started his career as a Rugby player, playing for the Central University of Technology and Free State Cheetahs. [4] 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 [4] and then went on a dominant run, winning 2024 SCL Holland, [5] 2024 SCL Africa and 2024 SCL World Finals. [6]

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 [7] and SCL Holland. [8]

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. [9]

Personal records

Competitive record

Winning percentage:

1st2nd3rdPodium4th5th6th7th8th9th10thTotal
International competitions8008200000010

Personal life

Nel graduated with an M.Eng in Engineering and works as an Electrical Engineer. [4]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2025 World's Strongest Man Himself – Competitor

References

  1. ↑ Conny Ekholm (1 January 2025). "RAYNO NEL". Strength Result. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "Rayno Nel". Strongman Archives. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  3. ↑ "USN fuels Rayno Nel, Africa's Strongest man". www.dischemlivingfit.co.za. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "CUT captain crowned world champion". Gerrit Kelin Els for www.ruggas.co.za. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Vedad Tabakovic (27 June 2024). "2024 Strongman Champions League Holland Results — Rayno Nel Victorious in His Debut". Fitness Volt. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "Rayno "Rhino" Nel wins SCL 2024 Finals". Strongman Champions League. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ↑ "Strongman Archives - 2025 SCL Italy". www.strongmanarchives.com. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  8. ↑ "Strongman Archives - 2025 SCL Holland". www.strongmanarchives.com. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "Strongman Archives - 2025 Giants Live Strongman Classic". www.strongmanarchives.com. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "STRENGTH RECORD, Section 08 - Stonelifting (Irregular stones)". www.strengthrecord.com. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
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