The 2025 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Finals continued with the second event on Day Three of competition: the 18” Max Deadlift.
Following the KNAACK Carry & Hoist, Mitchell Hooper, Tom Stoltman, and Rayno Nel shared the overall lead with 29 points each. Nel has already impressed in his WSM debut, harkening back to a similar energy that Hooper brought during his WSM debut in 2022.
[Stay Tuned: 2025 World’s Strongest Man Live Results & Leaderboard]
2025 World’s Strongest Man 18” Max Deadlift Results
- Trey Mitchell (USA) — 500 kilograms
- Rayno Nel (RSA) — 490 kilograms
- Mitchell Hooper (CAN) — 465 kilograms (T-third)
- Tom Stoltman (UK) — 465 kilograms (T-third)
- Paddy Haynes (UK) — 465 kilograms (T-third)
- Ondrej Fojtů (CZE) — 465 kilograms (T-third)
- Shane Flowers (UK) — 465 kilograms (T-third)
- Pavlo Kordiyaka (UKR) — 435 kilograms (T-eighth)
- Eddie Williams (AUS) — 435 kilograms (T-eighth)
- Luke Stoltman (UK) — 402 kilograms
2025 World’s Strongest Man 18” Max Deadlift Recap
This event was performed in rounds, where each athlete lifted a set weight to advance to the next round. Athletes all wore lifting belts and suits. Tom Stoltman and Paddy Haynes lifted in socks, while most others chose to lift in shoes.
Every athlete scored the opening weight of 402 kilograms (886 pounds). Eight athletes chose to compete in the second round at 435 kilograms (960 pounds); Hooper and Nel skipped round two, meaning if they were to miss in the third round, they would rank worse than all athletes successful in round two.
Flowers cleared 960 pounds without issue. Mitchell locked it out as well, though it appeared challenging. Luke Stoltman failed his first attempt. The crowd tried to hype him up, but the bar wouldn’t budge.
Fojtu had to hitch his lift twice but received the down command from head judge Magnus ver Magnusson. Williams was slow off the ground and grinded for an eternity, but eventually something clicked and he rose to lockout with a nod and a smile.
Kordiyaka convulsed through his pull, but it was never in doubt. Haynes whipped the bar to lockout; still plenty in the tank. It was the same story for Tom Stoltman.
Round three featured 465 kilograms (1,025 pounds). Hooper and Nel maintained their position in turn order despite not lifting in round two, so Flowers was first to the floor for round three. Flowers took a deep breath and hitched to lockout, earning the crowd’s favor before bowing out of the event.
Mitchell could be heard breathing from across the arena. He grunted before his pull, which looked infinitely easier than his previous round two lift. Fojtu refused to drop the barbell, so he didn’t. He advanced to the next round.
Kordiyaka missed his first attempt in round three and knew it wouldn’t go, so he waved off to the crowd. Haynes continued to impress in his WSM debut, grinding through to round four.
Hooper returned to the stage after blood was cleaned from the lifting platform (nose bleeds during big lifts are not uncommon). It didn’t look comfortable, but Hooper was successful nonetheless.
Tom Stoltman’s round three pull was textbook. Nel pulled with a speed that suggested he wasn’t here just to debut, but to win the whole competition.
Mitchell was first to the stage for 490 kilograms (1,080 pounds). His first move didn’t budge the bar, but a quick reset and a slow ascent saw Magnusson award the down command. Haynes could not match that and bowed out.
Hooper failed his first attempt and waved off at 490 kilograms. That opened the door for Tom Stoltman and Nel to separate themselves from Hooper. Stoltman fed off the energy of the crowd but failed his first attempt. His second attempt couldn’t budge the bar, and Nel was given a shot at the overall lead.
Nel grinded through to round four and claimed the overall lead for the first time in his WSM career. He chose to call his event there, leaving Mitchell as the lone athlete to attempt pulling half a ton.
WSM promoter Colin Bryce hopped on stage to hype the crowd as Mitchell approached a potential event-winning deadlift of 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds). It was never in doubt, and Mitchell received a standing ovation.
[Related: Luke Richardson and Evan Singleton Withdraw from 2025 World’s Strongest Man]
2025 World’s Strongest Man Finals
Only the Hercules Hold at 4 p.m. EST remains on Day Three of competition. The final day in Sacramento features only two events: the Flintstone Press Max at 10 a.m. PST and the Atlas Stones at 2:30 p.m. PST.
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Featured image courtesy of World’s Strongest Man/Rich Storry
