The full field of 10 finalists is set for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man.
The 2025 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) is officially halfway home—and the Final is shaping up to be a tactical war as much as a test of brute force.
After five grueling events in the Qualifying Stage, the top two athletes from each group have punched their ticket to the Final. But this year’s WSM isn’t just about who made it—it’s about how they got there. For the first time in WSM history, each athlete’s Qualifying Stage performance has been ranked to determine a starting score heading into the Final. That’s a game-changer.
2025 World’s Strongest Man Finals Roster
- Tom Stoltman (UK) — Group One Winner
- Eddie Williams (AUS) — Group One Runner-Up
- Mitchell Hooper (CAN) — Group Two Winner
- Paddy Haynes (UK) — Group Two Runner-Up
- Rayno Nel (RSA) — Group Three Winner
- Shane Flowers (UK) — Group Three Runner-Up
- Trey Mitchell (USA) — Group Four Winner
- Ondrej Fojtů (CZE) — Group Four Runner-Up
- Luke Stoltman (UK) — Group Five Winner
- Pavlo Kordiyaka (UKR) — Group Five Runner-Up
Hooper Starts on Top — Leaderboard After Qualifying
Mitchell Hooper enters the Final as the No. 1 seed with a full 10 points. Right behind him is two-time WSM champ Tom Stoltman with nine points. Rounding out the top five are Rayno Nel, Trey Mitchell, and Luke Stoltman.
| Athlete | Points |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Hooper | 10 |
| Tom Stoltman | 9 |
| Rayno Nel | 8 |
| Trey Mitchell | 7 |
| Luke Stoltman | 6 |
| Paddy Haynes | 5 |
| Shane Flowers | 4 |
| Ondrej Fojtů | 3 |
| Pavlo Kordiyaka | 2 |
| Eddie Williams | 1 |
This isn’t just for show. These points matter—a lot.
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What Is Leader’s Advantage and Why It Matters Now
Leader’s Advantage is real, and it could be the deciding factor in this year’s contest. The higher an athlete is ranked, the later they compete in each event. That means they know exactly what numbers they need to beat.
Example: In the 18” Max Deadlift, if the top lift before Hooper hits the stage is 970 pounds, he only needs to pull 975 to win the event. No guesswork. No wasted energy.
Mitchell Hooper told BarBend after winning the 2023 WSM that Leader’s Advantage was worth six points. He won that year by 4.5 points. Do the math—being the top seed can make or break a title run.
2025 WSM Finals: Day One Event Schedule (May 16, 2025)
1. KNAACK Carry & Hoist — 10 a.m. PST
A staple of modern WSM: grip, core, and conditioning all in one event.
2. 18” Max Deadlift — 1 p.m. PST
The big pull. Expect fireworks here as the top seeds strategize around known lifts.
3. Hercules Hold — 4 p.m. PST
Grip will be king. Fatigue will be real. This could be where the leaderboard shifts.
Who Has the Edge?
- Mitchell Hooper is in the driver’s seat, backed by consistent dominance.
- Tom Stoltman is breathing down his neck with strongman experience and championship pedigree.
- Rayno Nel and Trey Mitchell have the firepower to climb.
- Luke Stoltman is steady and focused, primed to make a push.
On the other end, Eddie Williams and Pavlo Kordiyaka have ground to cover—fast.
Final Take
The new format is rewriting how the WSM Final is fought. Points now come before the events start, and that changes everything. With Leader’s Advantage looming large, expect calculated aggression, sharp strategy, and no room for error.
Stay locked in. The battle for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man has only just begun.
More World’s Strongest Man Strongman Content
- 2025 World’s Strongest Man: Qualifier Day Two Results & Recap
- 2025 World’s Strongest Man: Qualifier Day One Results & Recap
- How to Watch the 2025 World’s Strongest Man
(Photo by Rich Storry / World’s Strongest Man)
