The 2026 World’s Strongest Man took place from April 23 to 26 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The competition featured elite strength athletes from across the globe and unfolded over two days of qualifying followed by two days of finals.
After a tightly contested battle that came down to the final event, Mitchell Hooper emerged victorious, securing his second World’s Strongest Man title. The outcome was decided in dramatic fashion, marking one of the closest finishes in recent memory.
Final Standings
The leaderboard reflects how competitive the finals were, especially at the top of the standings.
| Rank | Athlete | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Hooper | 54 |
| 2 | Rayno Nel | 52 |
| 3 | Trey Mitchell | 36 |
| 4 | Pavlo Kordiyaka | 31.5 |
| 5 | Ondrej Fojtu | 31.5 |
| 6 | Martins Licis | 30.5 |
| 7 | Mathew Ragg | 29 |
| 8 | Eddie Williams | 26 |
| 9 | Nick Guardione | 21 |
| 10 | Austin Andrade | 12.5 (withdrew) |
Finals Recap
Day One Overview
Rayno Nel, the reigning champion, set the tone early in the finals with a dominant showing. He secured victories in all three opening events, establishing a narrow but important lead over Mitchell Hooper.
Hooper stayed within striking distance by consistently finishing near the top, placing second in each event and keeping the gap manageable heading into the final day.
Flip and Carry
The opening event required athletes to flip a 520 kilogram box four times before carrying a 454 kilogram yoke over 20 meters. Speed and efficiency determined the outcome, with Nel leading the field.
Deadlift
Competitors chose between two barbells, one weighing 360 kilograms and the other 400 kilograms. The heavier bar carried greater scoring value per repetition.
Rayno Nel delivered one of the standout performances of the event with five repetitions at 400 kilograms. Mitchell Hooper and Mathew Ragg followed closely, each completing four reps with the heavier bar and adding one with the lighter option.
Titan’s Toss
Athletes attempted to throw ten implements over a beam, starting at seven meters and increasing the distance with each throw.
Top results:
• Rayno Nel: 9 in 39.23 seconds
• Mitchell Hooper: 8 in 35.00 seconds
• Nick Guardione: 8 in 43.09 seconds
Hooper again performed strongly but was edged out by Nel, who closed day one with a perfect sweep of event wins.
Finals Recap
Day Two Overview
The final day brought a shift in momentum. Hooper began closing the gap early and eventually overtook Nel to claim the overall lead.
Max Log Lift
Athletes aimed to press the heaviest possible weight overhead across multiple attempts.
Trey Mitchell led the event with a successful lift of 213 kilograms. Ondrej Fojtu and Mitchell Hooper both reached 209 kilograms, tying for second place.
Hooper’s result proved crucial, as it reduced Nel’s advantage to a single point going into the final event. Nel also showed improvement in overhead strength, completing a 200 kilogram lift.
Atlas Stones
The competition concluded with the traditional Atlas Stones, featuring five stones ranging from 140 to 210 kilograms.
Trey Mitchell delivered the top performance, becoming the only athlete to load all five stones, including the 210 kilogram final stone. This effort secured his place on the podium.
Mitchell Hooper placed second, recording the fastest time for four stones at 28.67 seconds. That performance was enough to clinch the overall title.
Rayno Nel, despite a strong start, finished fifth in the event and narrowly missed out on retaining his crown.
Qualifying Stage Recap
Day One
Carry and Climb
Athletes completed a Farmer’s Walk followed by Power Stairs, combining grip, speed, and endurance. Each group produced tight races, with Rayno Nel and Eddie Williams among the fastest performers.
Circus Press Medley
This event tested overhead strength through a sequence of dumbbells followed by repetitions with a heavy barbell. Several athletes excelled, including Lucas Hatton and Ondrej Fojtu with eight successful lifts in their groups.
Squat Lift
Competitors performed as many repetitions as possible with 320 kilograms in 60 seconds. Notable results included 17 reps from Lucas Hatton and 16 reps from both Luke Richardson and Austin Andrade.
Day Two
Truck Pull
Athletes pulled a 25,000 kilogram truck over 25 meters. Speed and technique were critical.
Group winners:
• Rayno Nel: 35.03 seconds
• Austin Andrade: 34.69 seconds
• Mitchell Hooper: 33.02 seconds
• Martins Licis: 36.09 seconds
• Andrew Flynn: 35.78 seconds
Natural Stone Medley
The final qualifying event combined multiple stone challenges, ending with a heavy stone load.
Group highlights included:
• Rayno Nel: 4 in 43.70 seconds
• Mitchell Hooper: 4 in 52.81 seconds
• Pavlo Kordiyaka: 4 in 67.00 seconds
Battle for the Podium
While Hooper and Nel fought for the title, the race for third place remained wide open. Several athletes stayed in contention heading into the Atlas Stones.
Trey Mitchell rose to the occasion with a decisive performance in the final event, securing third place overall and completing the podium.
Historical Context
Mitchell Hooper now adds a second World’s Strongest Man title to his career, joining a distinguished list of champions that spans nearly five decades. His victory reinforces his position among the top competitors in the modern era.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Winner | Mitchell Hooper secured his second World’s Strongest Man title |
| Runner Up | Rayno Nel finished just two points behind after leading early |
| Third Place | Trey Mitchell claimed bronze with a standout Atlas Stones performance |
| Turning Point | Hooper’s Log Lift and Atlas Stones performances shifted the final standings |
| Day One Leader | Rayno Nel won all three opening events in the finals |
| Final Event | Atlas Stones determined both the winner and final podium positions |
| Competition Location | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
| Event Dates | April 23 to 26, 2026 |
