CrossFit Games explained

The Crossfit Games
Current Season:2024 CrossFit Games
Sport:CrossFit
Pixels:200px
Founded:2007
Owner:CrossFit LLC
Director:Adrian Bozman
Qualification:CrossFit Open, Quarterfinals, Semi-finals
Sponsor:Reebok (2011–2020)
NoBull (2021–2023)
Competitors:40 men, 40 women, 40 teams, 10 every age division
Venue:Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin
Related Comps:Rogue Invitational, Wodapalooza
Website:CrossFit Games

The CrossFit Games is an annual athletic competition owned and operated by CrossFit, LLC.[1] Athletes compete in a series of events at the Games, which may be various standard CrossFit workouts consisting of metabolic conditioning exercises, weightlifting, and gymnastics movements, as well as a range of activities from other sports such as swimming, road cycling and strongman. The events generally are not revealed before the Games, can include unexpected elements to challenge the athletes' readiness to compete, and they are designed to test the athletes' fitness using CrossFit's own criteria.[2] Winners of the CrossFit Games earn cash prizes and the title of "Fittest on Earth."[3]

The competition started in 2007 and has been held every year since, normally in the summer. The first competition was held at a ranch in Aromas, California, with small groups of participants and spectators, but the CrossFit Games rapidly grew, and within a few years, the competition was moved to larger venues at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, followed by the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.[4] It was held in the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas in 2024. The Games were sponsored by Reebok from 2011 to 2020,[5] and by Nobull from 2021 to 2023.

The CrossFit Games season consists of four stages; the first qualification stage, the Open, is billed as the largest participatory sporting event in the world, with over 415,000 athletes signing up to compete in 2018.[6] [7] [8] The number of participants are reduced in two more qualification stages, the quarterfinals and semifinals, to 40 men, 40 women and 40 teams to compete at the CrossFit Games. A few athletes have dominated in the Games' history; they are Rich Froning (four wins) and Mat Fraser (five wins) in the men's competition,[9] [10] and Tia-Clair Toomey (seven wins) in the women's.[11]

History

The CrossFit Games has its origin in early 2007 when the then director of training of CrossFit Dave Castro invited CrossFit founder Greg Glassman to his family ranch in Aromas, California, and Glassman suggested holding a "Woodstock of Fitness" at the ranch for the CrossFit community.[12] In July 2007, the inaugural CrossFit Games took place at the ranch in Aromas. The first Games had the feel of a backyard barbecue with a few sporting events thrown in, and around 70 athletes and 150 spectators turned up for the competition.[13] For the first two years of competition, participation was open to anyone who showed up at Aromas.[14] The athletes with the best individual combined score in a series of events would be crowned the winners, and an Affiliate Cup was also awarded to the group from one CrossFit gym that had the best combined individual standings.[15]

The number of participants increased rapidly in the following years, and in 2009, a qualification stage called the Regionals was introduced to select the best competitors for the Games. The CrossFit Games also added a separate set of team-based events for the Affiliate Cup, marking the first use of a designated Team Division, competed by teams of four (two men and two women).[16] This year, spectators at the Games had grown to an expected 2,500.[17]

Carson, California era

Interest and attendance at the Games outgrew the ranch in Aromas, and in 2010 the Games venue was moved to the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Participation in the event continued to grow, and the qualification for the 2010 Games was adjusted to include multiple Sectionals, a series of events open to all athletes who wanted to qualify for one of the 17 Regionals.[18] The 17 regions divided Canada and the United States into 12 regions, with the remaining regions roughly corresponding to the five other populated continents. The Games also expanded the Team Division to groups of six athletes and added a Masters Division for individual men and women aged 55 and up.

In 2011, the open participation Sectionals were replaced by an online qualification called the Open. In the first year of the Open, 26,000 athletes signed up to compete. Participation in the Open steadily increased, rising from 69,000 in 2012 to 209,585 in 2014.[19] [20] The Open has since been described as the largest participatory sporting event in the world,[21] reaching a peak of 415,000 participants in 2018.[22] The number of registered athletes in the Open declined in the next two years down to 239,106 in 2020, which may be due to changes of the 2019 Games and the scheduling of the 2020 Open,[23] but has steadily increased in the following years, to over 323,000 in 2023.[24] [25]

In 2015, the qualification format was reorganized from 17 Regionals to eight "Super-Regionals". Each Super-Regional included qualifiers from two or three of the previously defined regions, with a total of 40 or 50 athletes participating at each event.

Madison, Wisconsin era

Following seven years in Carson, the Games moved to the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2017.[26] The next year, the qualifying Regionals were once again realigned to reflect the increasing competitiveness and popularity outside of Canada and the U.S.[27] In 2018, there were nine Regionals hosted among 18 redefined regions, with Europe increasing to three regions, Central America split from South America, and the elimination of the Northern and Southern California regions.

CrossFit, Inc. founder Greg Glassman overhauled the format for the 2019 Games, replacing the Regionals with CrossFit-sanctioned international qualifying events called Sanctionals.[28] As part of the changes, the 2019 Games athletes can qualify by winning one of the Sanctionals, or were the top athlete from one of the recognized countries in the CrossFit Open, or a top-20 overall finisher in the CrossFit Open, or by being one of the up to four at-large athletes chosen by CrossFit. Teams also no longer needed to be created from one CrossFit-affiliated gym and could be formed from any group of four competitors.[29]

In 2020, the qualifying events proceeded as scheduled until March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused events to be cancelled amid social distancing requirements and travel restrictions. The Games format was altered, and 30 men and 30 women were invited to compete in an online-only first stage with the top five qualifying for the final stage.[30] As no spectators were allowed at any venue during the pandemic, the final stage was hosted at its original location at the CrossFit Ranch in Aromas.[31] There were no teams, masters, or teens events.[32]

In 2021, the qualification format was adjusted with the introduction of a new online Quarterfinal stage. However, the Games also removed the national champion so as to have a smaller field of invitees to the Games. Ten Semi-finals that are a mix of the Regionals and Sanctionals were also introduced, as well as a final last-chance online qualifier for semi-final athletes who narrowly missed Games qualification. The Games also returned the team format to affiliate-based qualification, and added a new adaptive athlete division.[33]

In January 2022, CrossFit CEO Eric Roza dismissed CrossFit Games' director Dave Castro after 15 years of programming the event, replacing him with Justin Bergh as general manager of sport and Adrian Bozman as director of competition.[34] [35] [36] Castro later returned as leader of the sport team in 2023.[37]

A worldwide ranking of athletes was introduced for the 2023 Games based on the performance of the athletes in all stages of the previous two Games. This ranking system would be used to determine any additional qualifying spots for the CrossFit Games in a revamped qualification process.[38] [39]

Fort Worth Texas era

For the 2024 season, the CrossFit Games were held in the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas after 6 years in Madison, Wisconsin.[40] In that season the Games focused on the individual and team divisions, with all the other divisions split off into their own separate competitions. The Games, however, was marred by the death of the Serbian athlete Lazar Đukić, who drowned in the first event,[41] which led to the withdrawal of a number of athletes, including both 2023 champions Laura Horvath and Jeffrey Adler.[42]

Sponsorship and prize money

Participation and sponsorship have grown rapidly since the inception of the Games. The Games has always awarded an equal sum in prize money to the male and female individual winners,[43] starting with $500 at the inaugural Games, increasing to $300,000 in 2019.[44] The prize purse of the 2010 Games was sponsored by Progenex that provided $25,000 for the winners.[45] The following year saw the largest jump in prize money when Reebok sponsored its first Games, and the prize money for first place in 2011 increased to $250,000.[46] The total prize payout in 2016 was $2,200,000, rising to 3 million in 2020.[47] The prize payout increased again in 2021 when NoBull became the title sponsor of the Games.[48] [49] There wasn't a title sponsor for the 2024 CrossFit Games.[50]

Qualification

The CrossFit Games is the culmination of the CrossFit season that starts with the qualification stage. In the first two CrossFit Games, no qualification for competitors was necessary; athletes who wanted to participate in the Games could register and turn up on the day to compete.[51] However, with an increasing number of participants, a qualification process, the Regionals, was initiated in 2009 to winnow down the number of athletes who could take part in the Games. This was further expanded into a two-stage process in 2010 with the introduction of Sectionals where competitors were first selected to compete in the Regionals.[52] The Sectionals became the Open the following year, and between 2011 and 2018, all athletes had to go through the same two-stage qualification process, the Open and Regionals, apart from a few who received special invites in some years. In the 2019 CrossFit Games, the qualification process was modified, and competitors had three separate ways to qualify: the Open, sanctioned events, and by invitation.[44] In 2021, the Open once again reverted to its role as the first stage of competition that feeds the subsequent rounds, the Quarterfinals and Semifinals, in an expanded three-stage continent-based qualification system.[53]

The Open

The Open was introduced in 2011 and participation is open to anyone over a certain age limit (14 since 2015) and at any skill level.[54] The Open is held over a number of weeks, and a series of workouts are released weekly for competitors to complete. Athletes who wish to progress further in individual competitions need to perform the workouts as prescribed ("Rx'd"), but others who want to take part only in the Open can "scale" their workouts to be easier to suit their ability,[55] or choose the foundation or equipment-free options introduced in 2021.[56] Each week competitors perform the workouts and submit their scores online before a specified time supported by either videos of their workouts or validations by a CrossFit affiliate.[57] [58] [59] In every event, the competitors are ranked according to their performance with points awarded directly corresponding to their rank (i.e. one point for first, two for second, etc.), and the winner is the one with the lowest cumulative points over the course of the Open.[58]

From 2011 to 2019, the Open was usually held over five weeks in February and March with a new workout released each week, and athletes had to submit their score for each workout usually four days later.[57] For the 2020 season, the Open moved forward to October 2019 as part of the overhaul for Games qualifications so that it took place before any of the sanctioned events.[60] It has been moved back to February or March since the 2021 season.[61] [62]

In 2019, the top athlete from each country (the national champion) and the top 20 overall Open finishers qualified directly to the Games. This was also planned for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions led to only 20 men and 20 women from the Open being invited to an online competition as the first stage of the Games itself, and no national champion has been invited to the Games since.[30]

In 2021, the Open reverted to be the starting point of the competition, but the number of weeks was reduced to three with only four workouts held.[61] Three or four workouts have been held for the Open since 2022.[63]

Quarter-finals

For the 2021 Games, the qualification system was again revamped, and a Quarterfinal stage was added between the Open and the Semi-finals.[64] Participants in the Open are separated on a continental basis, and only the top 10% on each continent qualify for the Quarterfinal to move on to the Semi-finals.[33] [65] In 2024, the number of qualifiers was raised to the top 25%.[66] The Quarterfinals start around a week and a half after the Open has finished, and are held online similar to the Open. The athletes are required to complete five workouts over 3 consecutive days after the workouts have been released.[67] [68] [69]

Regionals, Sanctionals, and Semi-finals

Between 2009 and 2018, competitors qualified for the Games through participation at CrossFit Games regional events around the world. The top men and women from the Sectional in 2010, and the Open from 2011 to 2018, participated in the Regionals to qualify for the Games. There were 17 Regionals most years until 2015, when athletes from the 17 regions (later 18 regions) were funnelled into 8 or 9 Regional competitions.[70] [71] In 2011, the events in the Regionals were standardized.[72]

For the 2019 Games, CrossFit, Inc. discontinued hosting the Regional qualifier and instead sanctioned independent fitness events as qualifiers separate from the Open. These events were trademarked as "Sanctionals" by CrossFit, LLC.[73] Most of the sanctioned events were significant CrossFit competitions already widely participated in by CrossFit Games athletes around the world, such as Wodapalooza and Dubai CrossFit Championship, as well as the newly created Rogue Invitational.[74] [75] [76] Each sanctioned event had its own rules for participation and separately programmed events. If an athlete or team won multiple sanctioned events, the runners-up from the later events would qualify to the Games.[44] Twenty-eight sanctioned events were announced for the 2020 season,[77] but many of them were cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, the revamped Semi-finals were a mix of the Regionals and Sanctionals, with 10 Semi-finals scheduled in 6 continents.[78] A last-chance online qualifier, last used in 2009, was reintroduced for semi-final athletes who narrowly missed a Games qualification.[33] In 2022, CrossFit reintroduced identical workouts but only for two of the Semi-final events.[79] This is further extended in 2023 when all the workouts for the semi-finals would be standardized, but the number of semi-finals were reduced to seven, and the last chance qualifier eliminated.[80] Each region is guaranteed a certain number of qualifiers to the Games, with extra spots allocated to each region using a strength of field calculation based a worldwide ranking system.[81] [82]

Invitation

From 2009 to 2011, special invites were given to the top 5 men and women from the preceding Games as well as the individual champions of all previous games. The special invites for previous champions were removed in 2012, although CrossFit reserved the right to extend an invitation at any stage of the Games to any athlete, a right it exercised for two athletes in 2013. In 2019, the CrossFit Games had the option to invite up to four athletes who did not qualify for the Games in the Open or sanctioned events as an at-large bid.[44]

Competition events

Athletes at the Games compete in a series of workouts and activities over the course of a few days. The competition events at the CrossFit Games are not necessarily the same as workouts in a CrossFit gym and can include elements not normally seen in a CrossFit gym. The events are generally not announced in advance before the Games; the Games is set up as a test of fitness, and the founder of CrossFit Greg Glassman believes that CrossFit training should prepare athletes for "the unknown" and "the unknowable", so the fittest athletes should be able to handle any task given.[83] [84] Athletes are therefore kept in the dark as to exactly what they may face in the Games,[85] and they may learn about the events days, hours, or minutes beforehand, sometimes not knowing the details of the events even after they have started on the event.[86] [87] These events test the athletes on what CrossFit defines as the ten fitness domains: "cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy", so that the fittest athlete can be determined using CrossFit's own criteria.[88] The first Games only had 3 events; in the following years, the number of events gradually increased, and the Games now typically have 12–15 events held over a period of three to five days. Each event is scored individually; since 2011 the scoring system awards 100 points for the winner of every event, with lower-placing athletes receiving fewer points according to a points table.[89] The athlete with the best combined score across all events is declared the champion and the "Fittest on Earth".[90]

The events are mostly an assortment of Crossfit workouts comprising exercises in monostructural/metabolic conditioning ("metcon"), weightlifting, and gymnastics, which are the three CrossFit modalities.[91] The standard CrossFit workouts are usually a combination of movements of different modalities, such as handstand push-up, pull-up, muscle-up, burpee, lunge, box-jump, rope-climb, double under, running, back squat and dumbbell push press.[92] [93] Each workout may involve a number of rounds and repetitions (reps) of different movements, for example, a workout may have a rep scheme comprising three rounds of 21–15–9 repetitions of each movement. Workouts with "rounds for time" structure are won by competitors who can finish the rounds of workouts in the fastest time, while workouts in the "as many reps/rounds as possible" (AMRAP) format are won by those who complete the most reps or rounds within a set time.[94] The workouts may be given specific names, for example, "Grace", "Fran", and "Amanda" from "The Girls" workouts,[95] and "Murph" from the "Heroes" and tribute workouts.[96] Events titled "Couplet" are composed of two different movements, while "Triplet" events have three.[97] The "Chipper" events typically involve many different movements performed in sequence,[98] while the "Ladder" events may involve increasing/decreasing number of reps or heavier/lighter weights in each succeeding round.[99]

The Games often introduces some additional surprise elements that are not part of the typical CrossFit regimen to the events. These include obstacle courses, road cycling, ocean swimming, softball throwing, or ascending a pegboard.[100] [101] "Odd-objects" like yokes, sleds, and sandbags may also be introduced to the workouts;[102] some of these the athletes would not have encountered before in a CrossFit gym, examples are the "Snail" (an object shaped like a bale of hay but partly filled with sand),[103] the "Pig" (a heavy block encased in rubber),[104] and the "Banger" (a metal block on a track hit with a hammer).[105] [106]

Divisions

Individual

The marquee events at the CrossFit Games are the men's and women's individual competitions. The first place prize for each paid out $300,000 in 2020, with that amount set to increase to $310,000 in 2021.[49]

Team

Originally, teams were awarded the Affiliate Cup for having the best overall score from the individual athletes that had come from the same CrossFit-affiliated gym. In 2009, the Games began having a separate set of events for affiliate teams and consisted of four to six athletes from the same gym.[107] The next season, the format was finalized to teams of three men and three women. In the 2018 games, each team was changed to four members, two men and two women.[27] In 2019, CrossFit removed the stipulation that team members had to be from the same affiliate. Teams are subject to a similar qualification process as the individuals.[44]

In 2021, the Games returned to affiliate-only teams and the Affiliate Cup.[33]

Masters and Teens

Until 2024, the Games included age-based divisions for younger and older competitors. Masters divisions were introduced at the 2010 Games for those over 50. The number of Masters divisions increased in the following years; currently there are seven divisions each for women and men: 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, and 65+. Divisions for teenagers were introduced in 2015: the age ranges are 14–15 and 16–17, for both boys and girls.

Rather than regional events, masters and teen athletes qualified for the games by a second online competition following the Open. The top 200 athletes in each division worldwide were invited to compete in this qualifier, of which the top 10 advance to the Games.[108]

Prior to the introduction of these secondary online qualifiers, masters and teens competitors qualified for the Games directly from the Open.

For the 2024 season, the finals of the Masters and Teens divisions will be separated from the CrossFit Games; the Masters will compete in the Legends Championship, while the Teens will compete in the Pit Teen Throwdown.[109]

Adaptive

The adaptive divisions were introduced in the 2021 CrossFit Open for competitors with physical impairment.[110] [111] There are 16 adaptive divisions (eight each for men and women) with no separation by age, but all competitors must be at least 14 years of age.[112] Three male and three female divisions participated at the Games, while the rest are tested virtually in the semi-finals.[113]

All stages of the adaptive divisions including the Open became separated from the CrossFit Games in 2024, and adaptive athletes will compete in the WheelWOD Games.[109] [114]

Controversies

Due to CrossFit's official partnership with Reebok, competitors at the 2015 Games were banned from wearing Nike footwear.[115] Nike arranged for several trucks to be parked near the main entrance to the arena, which served as mobile billboards with the slogan "Don't ban our shoe, beat our shoe".[116] The partnership also prohibits Nike from labeling its Metcon shoes as intended for CrossFit – the brand uses the term "high intensity training" instead.

CrossFit's decision to award winners of the 2016 Games with handguns resulted in widespread criticism from members and sponsors.[117] Resulting protests forced the temporary closure of two CrossFit locations in New York City.[118]

On June 6, 2020, CrossFit founder and CEO Greg Glassman was publicly criticized for his social media statements about the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests resulting in many CrossFit-affiliated gyms around the world responded by ending their affiliation, Reebok announcing that they would end their corporate association after the 2020 Games, and several competitors boycotting the Games until he was removed from the company.[119] On June 9, Glassman resigned as CEO[120] and sold the company by the end of the month,[121] leading to the boycotting athletes returning. Athletes from Taiwan are required to compete under the People's Republic of China flag, rather than the Republic of China flag.[122] South China Morning Post reported that athletes have emailed CrossFit HQ, without any feedback.

Broadcasting and media

In 2011, ESPN began to broadcast the CrossFit Games, with live coverage streamed through ESPN3, and some television coverage on ESPN2. As the event grew, ESPN expanded its television coverage; in 2014, the network entered into a multi-year deal to continue broadcasting the CrossFit Games, and coverage expanded to nine-and-a-half hours on ESPN and ESPN2 by 2015.[123] In 2017, the event began a new broadcast arrangement with CBS Sports, with television coverage on CBS Sports Network, and a total of 40 hours of digital streaming coverage.[124] In 2019, CrossFit experimented with an open-source broadcasting system that allowed various partners to broadcast the Games,[125] [126] but live broadcast resumed on CBS Sports in 2020.[127] [128] In 2023, ESPN returned as broadcaster for the Games with live coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+.[129]

For many years CrossFit had its own media department that was responsible for creating and releasing media content related to the Games, including live streaming of the Games online through Facebook, YouTube and CrossFit websites, and content broadcast on ESPN and CBS.[130] Events such as the Open workout announcements were broadcast live from 2013 to 2018, and featured two or more past CrossFit Games athletes competing head-to-head immediately following the workout description. During the 2018–19 restructuring, CrossFit dissolved its own media crew, relying instead on outside media outlets and production companies for coverage of the sport.[131] [132] [133] For the next two years, Rogue Fitness broadcast the coverage of the Open workout announcement with competing athletes performing the workouts,[134] and provided color commentary for the live stream of the Games.[135] CrossFit resumed live streaming of its Open announcements in 2021.[136] CrossFit's media department also produced a series of documentary films on the Games since 2015, and its former employees continued to produce them independently after the department was dissolved.[137] [138] [139]

Champions by year and category

Individual and Team champions[140]

Year LocationIndividual Men Individual Women Team
2007CrossFit Ranch
(Aromas, California)
James FitzGerald Jolie Gentry CrossFit Santa Cruz
2008 Caity Matter CrossFit Oakland
2009 Mikko Salo Tanya Wagner Northwest CrossFit
2010Home Depot Center
(Carson, California)
Graham Holmberg Kristan Clever CrossFit Fort Vancouver
2011 CrossFit New England
2012 Rich Froning Jr. Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir Hack's Pack UTE
2013 Rich Froning Jr. Hack's Pack UTE
2014 Rich Froning Jr. CrossFit Invictus
2015 CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2016 Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2017Alliant Energy Center
(Madison, Wisconsin)
Mathew Fraser Wasatch CrossFit
Mathew Fraser Tia-Clair Toomey CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
Mathew Fraser Tia-Clair Toomey CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
CrossFit Ranch
(Aromas, California)
Mathew Fraser Tia-Clair Toomey No team events held
2021Alliant Energy Center
(Madison, Wisconsin)
Justin Medeiros Tia-Clair Toomey CrossFit Mayhem
2022 Justin Medeiros Tia-Clair Toomey CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2023 Jeff Adler Laura Horvath CrossFit Invictus
2024Dickies Arena
(Fort Worth, Texas)
James Sprague Tia-Clair Toomey Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder
Masters men's champions[140]
Year 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60–64 65+
2010 Brian Curley
2011 Scott DeTore Steve Anderson Greg Walker
2012 Gene LaMonica Gord MacKinnon Tim Anderson Scott Olson
2013 Michael Moseley Ron Ortiz Craig Howard Hilmar Hardarson Scott Olson
2014 Shawn Ramirez Jerry Hill Will Powell Steve Hamming Scott Olson
2015 Shawn Ramirez Matthew Swift Joe Ames Will Powell Steve Pollini
2016 Shawn Ramirez Ron Mathews Ron Ortiz Will Powell David Hippensteel
2017 Kyle Kasperbauer Shawn Ramirez Robert Davis Kevin Koester Shannon Aiken David Hippensteel
2018 Kyle Kasperbauer Neal Maddox Robert Davis Cliff Musgrave Brig Edwards David Hippensteel
2019 Nick Urankar Jason Grubb Joel Hughes Kevin Koester Joe Ames Gord MacKinnon
2020 No Masters events due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Kyle Kasperbauer Maxime Guyon Jason Grubb Bernard Luzi Vincent Diephuis Will Powell Ken Ogden
2022 Bryan Wong Rudolph Berger Jason Grubb Sean Patrick Mike Egan Shannon Aiken Cal Cherrington
2023 Sam Dancer Rudolph Berger Jason Grubb Artur KomorowskiKevin KoesterStuart Swanson Daniel Miller
Masters women's champions[140]
Year 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60–64 65+
2010 Laurie Carver
2011 Susan Habbe Mary Beth Litsheim Shelley Noyce Betsy Finley
2012 Lisa Mikkelsen Susan Habbe Marnel King Mary Schwing
2013 Amanda Allen Lisa Mikkelsen Gabriele Schlicht Sharon Lapkoff
2014 Amanda Allen Kim Holway Mary Beth Litsheim Susan Clarke Karen Wattier
2015 Janet Black Kylie Massi Cindy Kelley Susan Clarke Rosalie Glenn
2016 Helen Harding Cheryl Brost Shellie Edington Mary Beth Prodromides
(née Litsheim)
Shaun Havard
2017 Stephanie Roy Helen Harding Cheryl Brost Marion Valkenburg Susan Clarke Patty Failla
2018 Stephanie Roy Amanda Allen Eva Thornton Mary Beth Prodromides Shaun Havard
2019 Joey Kimdon Janet Black Jana Slyder Laurie Meschishnick Susan Clarke
2020 No Masters events due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Whitney Gelin Kelly FrielAnnie Sakamoto Tia VesserLaurie MeschishnickSusan ClarkePatty Bauer
2022 Emilia LeppänenKelly FrielAli Crawford Kim PurdyShanna Bunce Mary Beth ProdromidesJulie Holt
2023 Laurie ClémentSamantha BriggsKelly Friel Cheryl BrostLeka FinemanSusan ClarkeJulie Holt

Teens champions[140]

Year 14–15 Boys 14–15 Girls 16–17 Boys 16–17 Girls
2015 Angelo Dicicco Sydney Sullivan Nicholas Paladino Isabella Vallejo
2016 Vincent Ramirez Kaela Stephano Nicholas Paladino Allison Weiss
2017 Dallin Pepper Chloe Smith Angelo Dicicco Kaela Stephano
2018 Tudor Magda Olivia Sulek Dallin Pepper Haley Adams
2019 David Bradley Emma Cary Dallin Pepper Chloe Smith
2020 No Teens events due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Ty Jenkins Olivia Kerstetter Nate Ackermann Emma Lawson
2022 RJ Mestre Lucy McGonigle Ty Jenkins Olivia Kerstetter
2023 Jeremie JourdanMaría Granizo Ty Jenkins Lucy McGonigle
Adaptive divisions champions
Year[141] Men Upper Extremity Women Upper Extremity Men Lower Extremity Women Lower Extremity Men Neuromuscular Women Neuromuscular
2021 Casey Acree Sabrina Daniela Lopez Ole Kristian Antonsen Valerie Cohen Brett Horchar Shannon Ogar
2022 Casey Acree Camille Vigneault Charles Pienaar Valerie Cohen Brett Horchar Morgan Johnson
2023 Casey Acree Christina Mazzullo Rogan Dean Valerie Cohen Chris Rhyme Noelle Henderson

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. How CrossFit Embraced Fans and became the next great spectator sport. Forbes.com . June 2, 2013 . October 13, 2015.
  2. Web site: What Is Fitness? . Greg . Glassman . CrossFit Journal . October 1, 2002 .
  3. News: CrossFit Games: Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey once again . August 5, 2019. CNN .
  4. Web site: 18 Things Only Old School Crossfit Athletes Will Remember . Ben . Roberts . BoxRox . July 23, 2017.
  5. Web site: Reebok in 'relaunch phase' as it looks to become top fitness brand. Millington. Alison. Marketing Week. 2016-04-06.
  6. News: CrossFit Games: The journey to crown the 'Fittest on Earth' . Emma . Cluley. BBC Sport. October 11, 2019.
  7. Web site: About the Games . CrossFit Games .
  8. News: Is the CrossFit Open the biggest sporting competition on Earth? . CNN . Will . Edmonds . February 22, 2018.
  9. Web site: How one of the world's fittest men lives up to the title . David . Levesley. February 25, 2020 . GQ Magazine .
  10. News: Mat Fraser, five-time CrossFit Games champion, announces his retirement . Austin . Danforth . February 2, 2021 . USA Today.
  11. News: CrossFit and weightlifting champion Tia-Clair Toomey sets sights on bobsled at 2022 Winter Olympics. Brittney. Kleyn. January 1, 2021 . ABC News .
  12. Web site: Dave Castro, CrossFit's Games Maker. The Box Mag . January 11, 2013. Michael . Myser . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803120123/https://www.theboxmag.com/community/dave-castro-crossfits-games-maker-9496/ . August 3, 2022 .
  13. Web site: The History of the CrossFit Games . Dave. Castro. CrossFit Journal. 2016-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20231118051226/https://journal.crossfit.com/2010/07/games-history.tpl . November 18, 2023 .
  14. Web site: A Brief History of CrossFit Games Special Invites and "Wildcards". May 29, 2019 . Chad . Schroeder. Morning Chalk Up . https://web.archive.org/web/20231205023725/https://morningchalkup.com/2019/05/29/a-brief-history-of-crossfit-games-special-invites-and-wildcards/ . 5 December 2023 .
  15. Web site: The 2022 CrossFit Affiliate Cup . CrossFit Games . January 31, 2022.
  16. Web site: Start Here: An Introduction to the CrossFit Games . 2009 CrossFit Games . November 30, 2017 . August 19, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819072330/http://games2009.crossfit.com/starthere.html .
  17. Web site: Let the CrossFit Games Begin . Mike . Warkentin . The CrossFit Journal . 2009.
  18. Web site: Regionals. CrossFit Games. 2016-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20160504044746/http://games.crossfit.com/region. 2016-05-04. dead.
  19. Web site: 209,585: Rise of the Open . CrossFit Games . March 26, 2014.
  20. Web site: How Fast Are the CrossFit Games Growing? The Numbers Tell the Story . Tabata Times . October 13, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140709055050/http://www.tabatatimes.com/how-fast-are-the-crossfit-games-growing-the-numbers-tell-the-story/ . July 9, 2014 . dead .
  21. Web site: The Passion Of Crossfit . Men's Health UK. August 2016 . David . Morton.
  22. News: Open Success Stories. CrossFit Games. 2018-05-30.
  23. Web site: 2020 CrossFit Open Registration Numbers Down From Last Year . Fitness Volt . October 15, 2019.
  24. Web site: 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Open Registration Trends Up For Third Straight Year. February 20, 2023 . Joe. Genetin-Pilawa . Morning Chalk Up .
  25. Web site: CrossFit Open Registration (2011 – Present) . Morning Chalk Up .
  26. News: CrossFit Games moving to Madison . . November 21, 2016.
  27. Web site: CHANGE IS COMING TO THE 2018 SEASON . CrossFit Games . November 30, 2017.
  28. Web site: How Greg Glassman is Reshaping the CrossFit Games . MorningChalkUp.com . August 23, 2018 . Justin . LoFranco .
  29. Web site: CrossFit Announces Four More Sanctioned Events on Four Continents . prnewswire.com . September 24, 2018.
  30. Web site: These Individuals Will Receive Invitations To The 2020 CrossFit Games . May 9, 2020 . Tommy . Marquez. Morning Chalk Up .
  31. News: Coronavirus forces CrossFit Games 2020 behind closed doors to avoid cancellation; competition moves to California . Patrick. Blennerhassett. April 17, 2020 .
  32. Web site: BREAKING: CrossFit HQ Announces There Will Be No Age Groups at the 2020 CrossFit Games . BoxRox . May 1, 2020. Caro . Kyllmann.
  33. Web site: BREAKING: CrossFit Announces New Games Season Structure, Dates For 2021 . Tommy . Marquez. December 17, 2020. Morning Chalk Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121085835/https://morningchalkup.com/2020/12/17/breaking-crossfit-announces-new-games-season-structure-dates-for-2021/ . January 21, 2021.
  34. Web site: BREAKING: CrossFit Fires Dave Castro . Morning Chalk Up . January 4, 2022.
  35. Web site: Who Is Justin Bergh, CrossFit’s New General Manager Of Sport?. Phil . Blechman. January 5, 2022. BarBend .
  36. Web site: CrossFit Director of Competition Adrian Bozman Details New Divisions, Supporting Every Entrant . March 11, 2021 . John . Newby . Morning Chalk Up .
  37. Web site: BREAKING: Justin Bergh Out, Dave Castro New Leader of CrossFit Sport Team . June 20, 2023 . Ava. Kitzi . Teaganne . Finn . Morning Chalk Up .
  38. Web site: CrossFit Introduces Worldwide Ranking System . November 10, 2022 . Katie . Gannon . Joey . Adduci . Morning Chalk Up .
  39. Web site: CrossFit Releases Official Top 100 Worldwide Rankings . February 1, 2023 . The Barbell Spin .
  40. Web site: Fort Worth lands another major sports event. This one features world’s 'fittest athletes' . Harrison. Mantas . September 19, 2023 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram .
  41. News: Man dies competing in Texas CrossFit swim . BBC . August 8, 2024.
  42. Web site: Athletes Withdraw From 2024 CrossFit Games Following Death of Lazar Đukić . Teaganne . Finn . August 9, 2024 . BarBend.
  43. Web site: Why Men and Women Are Always Equal in CrossFit . Mike . Warkentin . July 15, 2018. CrossFit .
  44. Web site: 2019 CrossFit Games Rulebook . CrossFit Games . January 8, 2019.
  45. Web site: Information on Sponsorship of the 2010 Games . The 2010 CrossFit Games.
  46. CrossFit's Relationship with Reebok Enhances Its Financial and Commercial Credibility . . July 22, 2011.
  47. Web site: CrossFit Games Prize Purse Grows . CrossFit Games . July 7, 2014.
  48. Web site: Nobull Is Now the Title Sponsor of the CrossFit Games . . March 1, 2021.
  49. Web site: Breaking: CrossFit Announces Full Prize Purse For The CrossFit Games . June 3, 2021 . Tommy . Marquez . Morning Chalk Up.
  50. Web site: From Under Armour to Reebok to NOBULL and GORUCK: A Quick History of Notable CrossFit Games Sponsors . January 4, 2024 . Emily . Beers . Morning Chalk Up.
  51. Web site: The Rise of the CrossFit Games – a Chronological Account of its History . BoxRox. Caro. Kyllmann . May 1, 2019 .
  52. Web site: Welcome to the 2010 CrossFit Games! . 2010 CrossFit Games .
  53. Web site: How To Qualify For The 2021 CrossFit Games . Andrew . Gutman. January 8, 2021 . BarBend.
  54. Web site: About the Games. CrossFit Games. 2016-04-06.
  55. Web site: TO scale or not to scale . Emily . Beers . January 24, 2018.
  56. Web site: 2021 CrossFit Open Adds Equipment-Free Workout Option. Roger . Lockridge. January 1, 2021 . BarBend.
  57. Web site: Competition Rule Book . CrossFit . 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160330054556/https://assets.crossfit.com/pdfs/games/2016-CFG-Rulebook.pdf . March 30, 2016 . live .
  58. Web site: CrossFit Games Open Competition Rules. CrossFit Games.
  59. Web site: The CrossFit Games Competition Rule Book . CrossFit Games . 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130403165243/http://media.crossfit.com/games/pdf/CrossFitGames_RuleBook130123.pdf . April 3, 2013 . live .
  60. Web site: The CrossFit Open 2019: Out with the Old, In With The New . WodPrep.com . January 16, 2019.
  61. Web site: 2021 CrossFit Games Season Schedule (And Major Changes) Announced . January 6, 2021 . Andrew . Gutman. BarBend .
  62. Web site: Has the CrossFit Open Entered a New Era? . March 14, 2022 . Brian . Friend . Morning Chalk Up .
  63. News: CrossFit: is Jeffrey Adler podium bound at 2021 Games after impressive Open performance?. Brian. Friend. April 11, 2021 . South China Morning Post.
  64. Web site: What are the CrossFit Continent Divisions and Quarterfinals? . Caro . Kyllmann . BoxRox . January 9, 2021 .
  65. Web site: BREAKING: The 2021 CrossFit Games Rulebook Has Arrived, Here's What You Need To Know . Morning Chalk-Up . January 7, 2021.
  66. Web site: What Will It Take to Qualify for Quarterfinals in the 2024 CrossFit Games Season? . the Barbell Spin . November 10, 2023. Brian . Spin.
  67. Web site: CrossFit Releases Quarterfinals Format and Important Deadlines . April 2, 2021 . John . Newby . Morning Chalk Up.
  68. Web site: How Many Athletes Will Qualify for The CrossFit Games . March 25, 2021 . BoxRox . Caro. Kyllman .
  69. Web site: 2021 > Quarterfinals Tests . CrossFit Games.
  70. Web site: Regional Overview . CrossFit Games .
  71. Web site: Castro Announces Changes to the CrossFit Open/Regionals Format . BoxLife.
  72. Web site: A History of Regional Competition . May 7, 2013. CrossFit Games.
  73. Web site: Santionals . CrossFit Games . April 6, 2019.
  74. Web site: Wodapalooza Gains Sanctioned Status . October 1, 2018 . Justin . LoFranco. Morning Chalk Up .
  75. Web site: Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey Win The Rogue Invitational . Robbie . Wild Hudson . BoxRox . May 20, 2019 .
  76. Web site: Dubai CrossFit Championship is First Sanctioned CrossFit Event . August 31, 2018 . Justin . LoFranco. Morning Chalk Up .
  77. Web site: The Definitive Guide to Qualifying for 2019–2020 Season Sanctionals . Morning Chalk Up . September 11, 2019.
  78. Web site: How to Qualify to the 2021 CrossFit Games: Full Season Details Announced . Caro. Kyllmann. BoxRox.
  79. Web site: CrossFit Semifinals Will Have Same 2 Events for All Athletes; Games to Begin A Day Earlier . February 4, 2022. Robert . Born. BoxRox .
  80. Web site: CrossFit Announces Semifinal Locations And Dates For 2023 Season. Patrick . Clark. December 22, 2022 . BarBend.
  81. Web site: How Many Qualifying Spots Each CrossFit Semifinal Will Have . Robert. Born . February 9, 2023 . BoxRox .
  82. Web site: Updated Worldwide Rankings Released and Games Spots Allocated to Semifinals. Brian . Spin . The Barbell Spin. March 28, 2023.
  83. Web site: Finding the Fittest on Earth. Games.crossfit.com. August 8, 2024.
  84. Web site: Understanding CrossFit. Greg . Glassman . CrossFit Journal.
  85. Web site: 2020 press page . CrossFit Games.
  86. Web site: Fraser And Davíðsdóttir Win The Ranch Loop At The 2020 CrossFit Games Finals. Andrew . Gutman. October 24, 2020 . BarBend.
  87. Web site: 8 of The Most Epic CrossFit Games Workouts of All Time . Robbie Wild. Hudson. BoxRox . September 4, 2018 .
  88. Web site: Foundations . Greg . Glassman . CrossFit Journal . April 1, 2002 .
  89. Web site: 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games Scoring . July 22, 2011. 2011 CrossFit Games.
  90. Web site: The 10 Toughest, Most Utterly Absurd CrossFit Workouts in Games History . Matthew . Jussim . Men's Journal .
  91. Web site: A Theoretical Template for CrossFit's Programming. Greg . Glassman . February 1, 2003. CrossFit Journal.
  92. Web site: Movements . CrossFit .
  93. Web site: 12 of The Best CrossFit Workouts to Try Today, From Home Workouts to Barbell Fat-Burner. July 27, 2020 . Men's Health . Edward . Cooper.
  94. Web site: 10 Crossfit AMRAP Workouts for Athletes of All Levels . BoxRox . Carla. Behrens. September 24, 2016 .
  95. Web site: Crossfit Benchmark Workouts – "The Girls" . BoxRox. November 4, 2013. Dusan. Balaban .
  96. Web site: Hero and Tribute Workouts. CrossFit .
  97. Web site: Why the Majority of Your Workouts Should Be Couplets and Triplets . BoxLife .
  98. Web site: 5 CrossFit Chipper WODs That Will Burn Fat and Make You Incredibly Strong . Alyssa . Ages . Men's Health .
  99. Web site: If You Love Intervals, Try a Ladder Workout . Marjorie . Korn. Men's Health . July 30, 2015 .
  100. Web site: Major Announcement for Individuals. CrossFit Games. 2016-05-05.
  101. Web site: Why the Pegboard Challenge at the CrossFit Games Was Such a Beast. Men's Fitness. 2016-05-05. Brittany . Smith.
  102. Web site: Odd-Object Lesson. Hilary. Achauer . May 26, 2017. CrossFit Journal.
  103. Web site: Farm Strong . July 24, 2016 . Andréa Maria. Cecil . CrossFit Games.
  104. Web site: Mat Fraser: CrossFit Games 2019 Winner on How He Became The Fittest Man On Earth. July 8, 2019. Men's Health .
  105. Web site: CrossFit Games Event Analysis: When Things Get "Odd". October 7, 2020 . Patrick . Clark . Morning Chalk Up.
  106. Web site: What New Elements Will We See at the 2016 CrossFit Games? . Albert . Argueta . June 21, 2016 . The Barbell Spin.
  107. Web site: Affiliate Cup Registration Opens Monday, May 11th . games2009.crossfit.com . May 10, 2009.
  108. Web site: 2017 REEBOK CROSSFIT GAMES SEASON SCHEDULE . CrossFit Games . November 15, 2016.
  109. Web site: Breaking: CrossFit HQ Announces Age Group and Adaptive Changes to 2024 Season . October 10, 2023 . Teaganne. Finn . Joe. Genetin-Pilawa . Morning Chalk Up .
  110. Web site: The CrossFit Open Adaptive Division: What We Know Now . November 20, 2020 . Alec. Zirkenbach . Morning Chalk Up .
  111. Web site: The Full Story: How the Adaptive CrossFit Open Came to Be. March 6, 2021. Caro . Kyllmann . BoxRox.
  112. Web site: The 2021 CrossFit Games Adaptive Division: What You Need to Know . January 8, 2021 . Patrick. Clark . Morning Chalk Up .
  113. Web site: 2022 Fittest on Earth Adaptive Divisions . Grace . Dawson Beatty . Kelley . Laxton. CrossFit Games.
  114. Web site: 2024 Season Update: Age-Group and Adaptive Expansion. CrossFit Games. October 10, 2023 .
  115. Web site: CrossFit bans Nike shoe. Lydia. Bailey. Men's Fitness. July 13, 2015.
  116. Web site: Nike Isn't Done Bullying Reebok Over CrossFit. Brendan. Dunne. Sole collector. July 28, 2015.
  117. News: CrossFit Games come under fire for awarding Glocks as prizes. Joseph. Serna. Los Angeles Times. July 15, 2016.
  118. News: Anti-Gun LGBT Group Shuts Down Two CrossFit Locations Over Gun Giveaway. JamesMichael. Nichols. Huffington Post. July 25, 2016.
  119. News: Reebok, gyms cut ties with CrossFit amid consumer demands for corporate action against racism . The Washington Post . June 8, 2020 . June 9, 2020.
  120. Web site: CrossFit Gym C.E.O. Greg Glassman Steps Down in Chaos . . June 9, 2020.
  121. Web site: CrossFit founder Greg Glassman to sell company after backlash over "divisive statements" . June 29, 2020 . CBS News.
  122. Web site: October 7, 2021. Taiwan’s CrossFitters ‘angry’ at having to carry China’s flag. 2021-10-07. South China Morning Post. en.
  123. News: ESPN & the CrossFit Games: How It All Started & What It Means Now (+ the 2015 TV Schedule). BoxLife Magazine. 2017-08-14. en-us.
  124. Web site: CrossFit Games Expand Pursuit of 'Fittest on Earth' With New Network Partner, New Venue. Sports Video Group. 2017-08-14.
  125. Web site: How to Watch the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games . Brett . Williams . July 31, 2019 . Men's Health .
  126. Web site: CrossFit Announces Open-Source Broadcast Of 2019 Games . July 23, 2019. PR Newswire.
  127. Web site: CrossFit Games’ Return to Live TV Brings 400,000 Additional Viewers . November 1, 2020 . Kay . Wiese .
  128. Web site: Breaking: CrossFit Announces 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games Return to CBS Sports. June 4, 2021 . Lauren . Kalil . Morning Chalk Up .
  129. Web site: 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games Returns to ESPN Platforms for Final Four Days . August 2, 2023 . Teaganne . Finn . Morning Chalk Up .
  130. Web site: CrossFit HQ Lays Off More Games Staff . October 15, 2018 . Justin . LoFranco . Morning Chalk Up .
  131. Web site: McKernan, Oldroyd Among HQ's New Wave of Layoffs . February 12, 2019 . Justin . LoFranco . Morning Chalk Up .
  132. Web site: BREAKING NEWS – CrossFit Fires Several Members of Media Team Including Top Ranking Individuals . BoxRox . October 16, 2018.
  133. Web site: CrossFit Media Hire Signals Shift In Content Approach . January 25, 2021 . Joe. Genetin-Pilawa . Morning Chalk Up .
  134. Web site: Rogue Announces Updates For The 2020 CrossFit Open Workout 20.1. Derek . Hall. September 27, 2019. Fitness Volt .
  135. Web site: Rogue Fitness Will Provide Live Stream With Color Commentary . Brian . Pyfferoen . July 17, 2019 . The Barbell Spin .
  136. Web site: How to Watch the 2021 CrossFit Open Announcements . March 9, 2021. CrossFit Games .
  137. Web site: Inside the World Of Crazy CrossFit Documentaries . Kayla . Cobb . August 22, 2017 . Decider.com .
  138. Web site: Buttery Bros announced a documentary. October 22, 2020 .
  139. News: They Make CrossFit Documentaries. CrossFitters Can’t Get Enough . Calum . Marsh. August 16, 2023 . The New York Times.
  140. Web site: CrossFit Games Leaderboard. Games.crossfit.com . October 13, 2015.
  141. Web site: Leaderboard. CrossFit Games .