Rayno Nel defended his SCL world title in Upington, breaking two world records along the way and cementing his status as one of the strongest athletes on the planet
Upington, South Africa (19 November 2025) – In front of a roaring home crowd at Hoërskool Duineveld in Upington, Rayno Nel proved once again that he is in a league of his own. The South African powerhouse defended his title and has officially been crowned 2025 SCL World Champion, becoming a two-time champion in a row.
Over two electrifying days, Rayno put on a performance that will be spoken about for years. On day one, he set a new Shield Carry World Record. Just when the crowd thought they had seen the best of him, day two delivered another masterclass as he broke the SCL Hercules Hold Record.
The championship also featured strong performances from international athletes, with Kevin Hazeleger of the Netherlands finishing in second place and Adam Roszkowski of Poland taking third.
The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, applauded Rayno’s achievement and said his strength, resilience and competitive spirit reflect the heart of the nation and the pride of the people who supported him from home soil.
This latest title comes after Rayno stunned the strongman world earlier this year on 18 May 2025 in Sacramento. Competing in his very first World’s Strongest Man final, he edged out defending champion Tom Stoltman by just 0.5 points, becoming the first athlete from outside Europe or North America to claim the title in the competition’s 48-year history.
That moment signalled the arrival of a new force. This weekend in Upington he went even further and confirmed it.
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