Oh no, he didn’t!
But yes, he did. Dave Castro was able to surprise athletes and spectators again with great programming, new movements and well-planned workouts. The master mind behind the CrossFit Games never seems to disappoint us when it comes to the workouts awaiting hundreds of individual and team athletes the next couple of days.
Oldie, but a goodie
A few days into the CrossFit Games so far we’ve seen master athletes doing the impossible! If you’ve ever thought you’re strong, watch people over 40 and 50 years old deadlift over 200 kg! These men and women are a perfect example that CrossFit is for everyone and CrossFitters don’t know excuses. Immediately after the deadlift event a handstand walk for maximum distance followed where Allen Duarte set the record in his age division with 40 meters. That’s more than what Sam Briggs walked on her hands at the European Regionals this year! (We love you Sam, you’re a champ!)
It’s all about conditioning
It seems that this year’s Games are extremely focused on the monostructural – we have swimming on the first day for teams and individuals, rowing and sprinting on the second, running and sprinting again on the third, so who knows what to expect for the last day? One individual that we really miss this year is Chad Mackay because he would’ve beaten everyone at the beach workout. Chad has a swimming background and he just looks glorious doing thrusters or any other kind of squat. To our surprise Rich Froning finished Event 1 only eighth, followed by Danny Broflex and the bear-like Khalipa came in 18th! Rookie star Jonne Koski showed the old dogs what he’s learned from one of the best, Mikko Salo, and finished second. However, in Event 2 Froning was able to climb back to the top with an impressive 170 kg overhead squat.
On the women’s side Kara Webb is bringing “thunder from down under” probably caused by her massive thunder thighs. She set the record in Event 2 with a 113 kg overhead squat and sits at first place at the moment. Another female athlete to look out for this year is Chyna Cho. She’s been fighting for her spot at the Games for two years and she’s hungry for a top finish. Also back in the game is Julie Foucher, who is now in the lead compared to the favored two-times Games champion Annie Thorisdottir.
The team events provide a spectacular entertainment too. This year the sled for the team comes with a twist – it has a pull-up bar attached to it where teams will perform “Frantasy Land” and proceed to a team sled-push immediately after. It’s going to be crazy!
We can’t wait to see how individuals and teams will perform in the next couple of days and won’t lie to you – we’ve set our alarm clocks so we won’t miss an event. In case you can’t make it for the live stream, there will coverage on YouTube and other social media channels. Learn more here: http://games.crossfit.com/about-the-games/coverage
We wish all the athletes good luck and fans and spectators lots of fun!
Your Suprfit Europe Team