Rayno Nel, known to fans and competitors as “Rhino,” has charted an inspiring path from the rugby field to the strongman stage, quickly becoming one of South Africa’s most formidable athletes.
Starting his athletic career as a rugby player, Rayno made a name for himself in the Varsity Cup, playing for the Central University of Technology (CUT). For three consecutive years, he served as team captain, demonstrating both his physical prowess and leadership abilities. He then played for the Free State Cheetahs, honing the strength and resilience that would later propel him into the strongman world. Alongside rugby, Rayno pursued a degree in engineering and began his career as an electrical engineer.
Last year, Rayno decided to pursue a new ambition: to become South Africa’s strongest man. His goal materialised when he competed in the South African Strongman Championships and finished in first place. He went on to compete in the African Championships, securing the title of South African Strongman Champion. With back-to-back victories, Rayno earned invitations to compete internationally in the Strongman Champions League (SCL) events in Russia and the Netherlands.
Despite a foot fracture during the second event in Russia, Rayno pushed through with characteristic tenacity, finishing fourth overall. He continued to showcase his strength in the Netherlands, where he claimed the title of Netherlands Strongest Man. Rayno’s winning streak didn’t stop there; when the SCL brought the competition to South Africa, he comfortably won the African leg.
These victories qualified him for the SCL World Champions Final, though he started with a disadvantage: a 10-point deficit due to missing 9 previous events, placing him in 10th position. The first event was a marble block medley, lifting stones weighing from 100 kg to 130 kg. Rayno finished the event in a record-setting 31 seconds, securing second place. Next, he took on the 175 kg sandbag carry over 60 meters on beach sand, which he won effortlessly. Rayno closed out the day by winning the 75 kg natural rock throw, ending day one in first place, leading by a single point.
With the top five competitors separated by just five points, day two promised to be a battle of grit and determination. The events included a truck pull without a rope, a car deadlift for reps, and the challenging atlas stone lifts. Rayno’s final challenge came with the natural stones event, where he had to complete his lift in under 20 seconds. Rising to the challenge, he achieved an astonishing 17.1-second time, cementing his position as the new world title holder of the SCL Strongman of the World.
Rayno “Rhino” Nel battles for the ultimate title, proving that his strength is as unstoppable as his spirit.
