2025 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Rayno Nel will not compete at the 2025 Strongest Man on Earth (SMOE), held in Loveland, CO, from Aug. 16-17. Nel is taking a breather after winning the 2025 Strongman Champions League (SCL) Holland and 2025 SCL Italy contests.
Nel announced his withdrawal from the 2025 SMOE during an interview with the contest’s promoter, four-time WSM Brian Shaw. Nel reached out to Shaw directly as soon as he realized that he wouldn’t attend the competition.
“When I got back, reality struck that, for almost a month, I couldn’t focus on work and other stuff in my life,” Nel expressed. “Going to Strongest Man on Earth not 100% prepped — risk of injury is too high.”
Business Growth and Recovery
Staying active hasn’t been an issue for South Africa’s first WSM champion. Nel’s day-to-day is about more than hoisting Atlas stones and flipping tires. He helps run an engineering firm. Juggling his obligations stretched him thin; he recognized the need to step away from competing for a bit.
With big projects, I can’t let work slip. I want to be at my best for a competition like Strongest Man on Earth.
—Rayno Nel
The 2025 SMOE contest is a high-stakes endeavor; compared to other shows, there’s little room for error. Nel made it clear he’s not avoiding it; he knows he wouldn’t be fully prepared under these circumstances.
Nel will return to competition when his schedule allows. For now, he prioritizes recovery and progress, favoring long-term success over short-term pressures.
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Featured image: @raynonel_strongman on Instagram
