This yr was actually in contrast to some other within the sport of CrossFit.
Final up to date on December 18th, 2024
The beginning of 2024 caused emotions of hope and pleasure because the CrossFit Games headed to a brand new residence in Fort Value, TX. That pleasure quickly turned to tumult after beloved Serbian athlete Lazar Ðukić died throughout Event 1 on the primary day of competitors.
The fallout and disappointment from that horrible accident set the tone for the game for the rest of the yr as athletes and followers tried to determine the best way to transfer ahead.
- The tragic lack of Lazar Ðukić is by far the largest and most influential second within the sport’s historical past.
A number of notable moments from this previous yr are value remembering, in order we put together to flip the calendar, we needed to focus on them.
Brent Fikowski Retires
Canadian Fikowski is without doubt one of the sport’s most embellished athletes. In November, he introduced that he would retire after 12 years.
His final competitors was the 2024 Rogue Invitational in Aberdeen, Scotland, the place he completed second behind fellow Canadian Jeffrey Adler.
- The athlete, greatest often known as “The Professor,” is an icon of the game and an athlete many in the neighborhood look as much as for his professionalism and meticulous method to exercises and coaching.
Fikowski plans to show his consideration to the Skilled Health Athletes’ Affiliation (PFAA), the place he’ll function President. One in all his targets is to assist CrossFit evolve right into a extra skilled sport and construct a company that’s made to guard the athletes.
Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr Returns, Wins Seventh CrossFit Video games
This yr’s CrossFit Video games didn’t go as anticipated, and the athletes confronted the tough alternative of both withdrawing from the competitors or persevering with.
Toomey-Orr selected to remain and compete the remainder of the weekend alongside the very best athletes on the earth, and he or she got here out on prime for a record-breaking seventh time.
- Toomey-Orr is the primary particular person to attain seven CrossFit Video games champion titles and some of the dominant athletes within the sport. She sat out of the 2023 Video games as a result of she was pregnant and gave start to her daughter, Willow, final Could.
Toomey-Orr has not signaled she is retiring and continued to dominate in her low season. She gained the Rogue Invitational by a small margin towards considered one of her fiercest rivals, Laura Horvath.
Younger Gun, James Sprague, Emerges Victorious in Texas
A number of of the elite particular person and staff athletes selected to not proceed competing on the Video games after the tragic dying of Ðukić. Regardless of the uneasy and tough alternative, Sprague stored going, successful the 2024 CrossFit Games.
- Sprague instructed Morning Chalk Up’s Emily Beers in an interview that the normal celebration didn’t really feel fairly proper. The joy and pleasure weren’t the identical, given the tragedy on day one.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old labored arduous for what he’s completed, going from an chubby teenager to an elite particular person in solely a handful of years.
Luka Ðukić Competes, and Wins, at Dubai
Luka, the youthful brother of Lazar Ðukić, additionally competed on the CrossFit Video games however left the competitors after experiencing one of many worst moments of his life.
Luka stored largely quiet the weeks after he misplaced his brother however popped up on his social media to share photographs and reminiscences and supply vital data surrounding the occasions of day one on the Video games.
Luka shared that he’d compete within the 2024 Dubai Health Championship.
- In an Instagram submit, Luka shared that he approached the well-known coach and founding father of The Progrm, John Singleton, to assist him put together for Dubai. He was not sure if he might do it or put together in time however deliberate to compete.
Luka gained the 2024 Dubai Health Championship, which, as he shared on Instagram, was particularly significant as a result of it was his and his brother’s favourite competitors. We sit up for seeing him at TYR WZA Miami Seashore in January 2025.
TYR Wodapalooza SoCal, 12 months 1
Properly earlier than the Video games, Loud and Dwell Sports activities introduced a second West Coast competitors known as TYR Wodapalooza SoCal.
The September competitors, held in Huntington Seashore, CA, offered a brand new method for elite athletes to compete by means of the TYR Cup.
- The TYR Cup featured two groups, North America vs. World, with 4 males and 4 ladies per staff. Notable athletes, corresponding to Danielle Brandon and Arielle Loewen, Patrick Vellner, and Gui Malheiros, competed.
The occasion got here shortly after the Video games and appeared to offer athletes and followers one thing to sit up for amidst the grief and disappointment introduced on by Lazar’s dying.
By all accounts, the inaugural event went well. We’re just a few weeks away from the unique TYR Wodapalooza in Miami, FL.
One Final Factor
Whereas it’s clear that 2024 didn’t go as deliberate for the game, a number of exceptional moments have been value celebrating.
If there’s any shiny spot from final yr, it’s that the CrossFit group is robust. Whereas it feels fractured in some ways, a brand new yr and season can present new alternatives for unity and (group) health.
Featured picture: Flo Papos, @flopapos / Instagram