South African Rayno Nel just wants to celebrate with a Black Label beer after becoming the first participant from Africa to win the prestigious World’s Strongest Man title in Sacramento, California on Sunday.
Besides becoming the first man from outside Europe and North America to win the title, the former Cheetahs rugby player also made history by becoming the first rookie to win the event in 28 years.
The 30-year-old Nel beat defending champion Tom Stoltman by just half a point in the two-day final to claim the title.
“I’m just over the moon,” he told USA TODAY Sports. “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.”
Nel started his sports career as a rugby player, playing loose forward for the Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Varsity Cup and professionally for the Free State Cheetahs.
But in 2023 he switched to strongman competitions, participating in South Africa’s Strongest Man event where he emerged victorious in consecutive years. He then competed internationally, impressing fans and pundits alike before gaining a wildcard entry to the 2025 World’s Strongest Man event.
“Rugby was what I thought I would do for my sports career. I didn’t think I’d do any sport ever again,” Nel 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.”
Nel, who stands at 1.91 metres and weighs in at 148kg, said he was nervous ahead of the competition, but ended up tasting victory with a world-class performance.
Unfortunately, though, he wasn’t able to celebrate the victory with his favourite Black Label beer, saying he will try “American beer instead”. But Nel is looking forward to having a braai and a few cold ones with his family when he returns to South Africa.
“Coming in, I won’t say I was starstruck by everything, but World’s Strongest Man is just such a big scene and competition,” he said.
“Luckily in the sport, I know what the other guys’ numbers are. I know, pretty much, what they can do. So deep down, I knew there was a chance.”
@JohnGoliath82
