The full field of 10 finalists is set for the 2026 World’s Strongest Man.
The 2026 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) has reached its halfway point, and the road to the final is already proving to be as much about strategy as it is raw power.
After five demanding events in the Qualifying Stage, the top two competitors from each group have secured their spots in the final. But this year’s contest isn’t defined solely by who advanced – it’s defined by the path they took to get there. Using the same updated format introduced last year, each athlete’s performance in the Qualifying Stage has been ranked to establish a starting score heading into the final showdown.
2026 World’s Strongest Man Finals Roster
- Rayno Nel — Group One Winner
- Nick Guardione — Group One Runner-Up
- Austin Andrade — Group Two Winner
- Mathew Ragg — Group Two Runner-Up
- Mitchell Hooper — Group Three Winner
- Eddie Williams — Group Three Runner-Up
- Ondrej Fojtu — Group Four Winner
- Martins Licis — Group Four Runner-Up
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — Group Five Winner
- Trey Mitchell — Group Five Runner-Up
Leaderboard After Qualifying
Mitchell Hooper enters the Final as the No. 1 seed with a full 10 points. Right behind him is Rayno Nel. Rounding out the top five are Austin Andrade, Eddie Williams, and Ondrej Fojtu.
| Athlete | Points |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Hooper | 10 |
| Rayno Nel | 9 |
| Austin Andrade | 8 |
| Eddie Williams | 7 |
| Ondrej Fojtu | 6 |
| Pavlo Kordiyaka | 5 |
| Martins Licis | 4 |
| Trey Mitchell | 3 |
| Mathew Ragg | 2 |
| Nick Guardione | 1 |
This isn’t just for show. These points matter – a lot.
What Is Leader’s Advantage and Why It Matters Now
Leader’s Advantage isn’t just a theory – it’s a very real edge, and it could ultimately decide this year’s outcome. The higher an athlete is seeded, the later they appear in each event, giving them full visibility on what it takes to win.
Take the 18” Max Deadlift as a theoretical example: if the leading lift before Mitchell Hooper steps up is 970 pounds, he knows he only needs 975 to secure first place. No guesswork. No unnecessary exertion.
Hooper himself pointed this out after winning the 2023 WSM, estimating that Leader’s Advantage was worth roughly six points. He went on to win that title by 4.5 points. The math speaks for itself – the top seed can be the difference between victory and falling short.
2026 WSM Finals: Day One Event Schedule (April 25, 2026)
1. KNAACK Monster Box Flip & Carry — 10 a.m. EST
A staple of modern WSM: grip, core, and conditioning all in one event.
2. Deadlift — 1 p.m. EST
The big pull. Expect fireworks here as the top seeds strategize around known lifts.
3. Titan’s Toss — 3 p.m. EST
This could be where the leaderboard shifts.
Who Has the Edge? ***UPDATE BASED ON RESULTS****
- Mitchell Hooper starts out the finals strong with the lead advantage.
- Rayno Nel is breathing down his neck as the defending champion.
- Austin Andrade and Eddie Williams have the fire behind them to edge ahead of the two leaders.
- Ondrej Fojtu is steady and focused, primed to make a push.
On the other end, Martins Licis and Trey Mitchell have ground to cover – fast.
Final Take
Year two of 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 2026 World’s Strongest Man has only just begun.
More World’s Strongest Man Strongman Content
- 2026 World’s Strongest Man: Qualifier Day Two Results & Recap
- 2026 World’s Strongest Man: Qualifier Day One Results & Recap
- How to Watch the 2026 World’s Strongest Man
*Photos by Rich Storry / World’s Strongest Man
