If you walked into a gym today and saw a guy bench pressing 500 pounds, you’d probably stop and stare. It’s objectively massive. But in the world of professional strongmen, that’s basically a warm-up. When we ask who is the most strong person in the world, the answer usually depends on who you’re talking to and how they define "strong." Are we talking about a single massive lift, or the ability to carry a literal 1,400-pound ship’s mast on your back?
Honestly, the landscape of strength changed forever in May 2025. For years, the conversation was a two-horse race between the Canadian powerhouse Mitchell Hooper and the Scottish giant Tom Stoltman. Then, a rookie from South Africa named Rayno Nel showed up in Sacramento and blew the script to pieces.
The Current King: Rayno Nel
As of right now, if you’re looking for the official title holder, it’s Rayno Nel. He is the reigning 2025 World’s Strongest Man (WSM). You’ve probably seen the footage of him by now—he doesn't look like the traditional "fridge-shaped" strongman. He’s 6'3" and around 326 pounds, which is actually "light" for this sport.
What makes Nel the most strong person in the world right now isn't just raw power; it’s his weirdly efficient movement. During the 2025 finals, he took a 3-point lead over the field during the 18-inch Max Deadlift by pulling 490 kg (about 1,080 lbs). He didn't just lift it; he moved it with a speed that made the veterans look like they were stuck in molasses.
Nel’s victory was a massive upset. Most experts, including the legendary Magnus Ver Magnusson, expected Tom Stoltman to secure his fourth title. But Nel held his nerve during the Atlas Stones—the ultimate strongman event—finishing four stones in 30.17 seconds to edge out Stoltman by just half a point. He’s the first South African to ever win the title, and he did it as a rookie. That simply doesn't happen in a sport where "old man strength" usually rules.
📖 Related: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
The Raw Power Argument: Hafthor Björnsson
While Nel has the WSM trophy, many people still point to Hafthor Björnsson (famously known as "The Mountain" from Game of Thrones) when discussing the most strong person in the world.
Why? Because the "World's Strongest Man" competition is an athletic event. You have to run, carry things, and move quickly. But if you want to know who can move the most absolute weight from point A to point B, you look at the deadlift.
In 2025, Hafthor returned to the powerlifting scene with a vengeance, pulling 505 kg (1,113 lbs) at the Eisenhart Black Competition in Germany. He didn't stop there. Right now, in early 2026, the hype is building for his appearance at the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas this May. Thor has openly stated he’s aiming for a 515 kg lift, and he believes a 550 kg deadlift is actually possible for the human body.
When you look at Thor, you’re looking at a different kind of strength. He’s 6'9" and has pushed his body weight back up near 400 pounds. If strength is defined by the heaviest single object ever moved by a human being, Thor is still the guy most people fear.
👉 See also: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
What Most People Get Wrong About Strength
We tend to think of strength as a single number. "How much do you bench?"
But the "most strong" person is usually an outlier in three specific categories:
- Static Strength: This is the powerlifting stuff. Squat, bench, deadlift. It’s the ability to move a stationary object.
- Dynamic Strength: This is what you see in Strongman. Carrying a 400 kg Yoke or dragging a plane. It requires a massive cardiovascular system and "moving power."
- Grip Strength: This is often overlooked. Mitchell Hooper is a freak in this category. During the Hercules Hold—where you hold two falling pillars—athletes like Hooper and Eddie Williams show that the hands often give out before the muscles do.
The Historical Giants: Could They Beat Modern Pros?
You can't talk about the most strong person in the world without mentioning the legends. People love to bring up Louis Cyr, the French-Canadian from the late 1800s. Legend says he lifted a platform with 18 men on it (nearly 4,300 lbs).
Then there’s Paul Anderson. In the 1950s, Anderson was reportedly squatting over 1,000 pounds before squat suits or modern supplements existed. Scientists and historians like Dr. Terry Todd have spent years trying to verify these feats.
✨ Don't miss: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
But here’s the reality: modern athletes are better. We have better nutrition, better biomechanics, and specialized equipment. While the "Old-Timers" were incredible for their era, someone like Mitchell Hooper or Rayno Nel would likely outperform them in almost any modern metric. It’s like comparing a 1920s sprinter to Usain Bolt. The genetics might be similar, but the "machine" is more refined today.
Why Mitchell Hooper Still Matters
Even though he placed third in 2025, many still consider Mitchell Hooper the most well-rounded strongman on the planet. He’s a clinical kinesiologist, meaning he approaches lifting like a scientist.
Hooper doesn't just lift; he optimizes. He’s famous for his "marathon" approach to strength—he can deadlift 1,000 pounds and then immediately go for a 5km run. That kind of versatility is rare. Most guys who can pull 1,000 lbs get winded walking up a flight of stairs. Hooper’s presence in the sport has forced everyone else to get fitter, not just bigger.
Actionable Insights for the "Human" Version of Strength
You probably aren't planning to pull a Boeing 747 tomorrow. However, the science behind the most strong person in the world applies to everyone.
- Prioritize the Posterior Chain: Every single "strongest man" candidate has one thing in common: a bulletproof back and hamstrings. If you want to be strong, stop obsessing over your chest and start deadlifting (with proper form, please).
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Recovery: Strongmen don't lift heavy every day. They train their brain to "fire" all their muscle fibers at once. This requires immense rest.
- Grip is the Gateway: You are only as strong as your hands. If your grip fails, your back can't do the work. Add farmer’s carries to your routine.
Basically, the title of "World's Strongest" is a moving target. Right now, it belongs to Rayno Nel. In a few months, Hafthor Björnsson might reclaim the "Heaviest Lift" crown in Vegas. But for the rest of us, it’s a reminder that human potential is way higher than we think.
To stay on top of the results for the upcoming season, keep an eye on the Giants Live tour and the 2026 World’s Strongest Man qualifiers. The gap between the top three—Nel, Stoltman, and Hooper—is so thin that the title could change hands at any moment.