_{Rayno Nel (centre-champion), CUT alumnus and former three-time captain of the CUT Ixias, made an indelible mark on history when he proudly claimed the title of 2025 World’s Strongest Man in the competition held in California, USA.}

From the CUT rugby fields to the prestigious global stage of strength athletics, Rayno Nel, a remarkable CUT alumnus and former three-time captain of the Ixias, has made an indelible mark on history. He proudly claimed the title of World’s Strongest Man in 2025 during the competition held in California, USA.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Pamela Dube, expressed pride in Rayno’s achievement.  “Congratulations to Rayno for making us all incredibly proud! Your victory transcends personal achievement; it encapsulates the spirit of excellence, resilience, and innovation that defines CUT."

This extraordinary accomplishment makes him the first African rookie to earn this prestigious title in nearly thirty years. Still, it also showcases his incredible resilience as he triumphed over three-time world champion Tom Stoltman in an electrifying showdown.

“Your journey demonstrates how our CUT sports development programme cultivates successful athletic careers and promotes the overall well-being of our students. We stand with you in celebration of this remarkable accomplishment as you proudly place the country and CUT on a global platform”, she said.