Rayno Nel Withdraws from Arnold
Rayno Nel has withdrawn from the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic after contracting salmonella. The surprise withdrawal alters the competitive landscape for one of strength sports' signature events, opening opportunities for other strongmen to contend for top placements.
Nel's withdrawal is a significant blow to the event, as he is the reigning 2025 World's Strongest Man. He made history by becoming the first athlete from Africa to win the prestigious title and the first rookie to do so since 1997. The South African athlete has had a meteoric rise in the sport since transitioning from professional rugby in 2023. In just over two years, Nel has competed in 12 major strongman competitions and won nine of them, establishing himself as a dominant force. The decision to pull out came after a severe bout of salmonella led to hospitalization and a significant loss of 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds) of bodyweight. The news was first shared by retired strongman Laurence Shahlaei, who had been in direct contact with Nel. The 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic lineup has been heavily impacted by withdrawals. Besides Nel, former champions Hafthor Bjornsson and Tom Stoltman, as well as Luke Richardson, have also pulled out of the competition. With several top contenders now absent, the path is clearer for Canadian Mitchell Hooper to defend his title. The current lineup now consists of eight American athletes and one Canadian. Nel's focus will now shift to recovery and regaining his strength in hopes of being fit to defend his title at the 2026 World's Strongest Man competition.
