“The Professor” has given followers a lot to cheer about over the previous decade.
Brent Fikowski has compiled quite a few accolades in his illustrious CrossFit profession.
Over a decade, he has competed all through the world, inspiring athletes far and large with not solely his athletic performances however his poise and his function as a pacesetter.
- He is named the last word strategist and a scholar of the sport, traits that earned him the nickname “The Professor.”
In mild of his current retirement announcement, let’s check out some highlights of Fikowski’s CrossFit Video games profession by the numbers.
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3 – Podium Finishes
In solely his second look on the Video games, Fikowski earned the title of Second Fittest Man on Earth in 2017.
- One spot behind in third place was good friend and rival Pat Vellner, who had edged him out by two factors the yr prior.
Fikowski battled his method to a third-place end in 2021, sharing the rostrum with Vellner as soon as once more.
This yr, which proved to be his final Video games look, he wore the chief’s jersey going into the two-part remaining occasion.
In a yr marred by tragedy, he closed out his CrossFit Video games profession with one other hard-earned bronze medal.
5 – Years a “Chipper King”
Fikowski established himself early because the “Chipper King.”
- He racked up occasion wins on this format at Regionals 5 years in a row, from 2014 to 2018.
He claimed the worldwide report in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Two of his occasion wins on the Video games had been the “Ranch Mini Chipper” and “Rope Chipper.”
When a exercise is about pacing and chipping away at a mountain of reps, he has been the one to observe.
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6 – Prime-5 Finishes
Along with his Video games podium finishes, Fikowski has three fourth-place finishes to his identify.
The primary was in his rookie yr, simply two factors behind Vellner.
- It was a good smaller margin in 2018.
In reality, there was no margin in any respect.
Fikowski and Lukas Högberg ended the grueling weekend tied with 886 factors. The tiebreaker went to Högberg based mostly on his single occasion win, during which Fikowski positioned second. It doesn’t get nearer than that.
He completed fourth as soon as extra in 2023, nearly making it an all-Canadian podium with Vellner and Jeff Adler.
8 – Profession CrossFit Video games Occasion Wins
Speak about nail-biting finishes…
The “Rope Chipper” in 2016 got here all the way down to the ultimate implement, a 310-pound sled that needed to be dragged throughout the competitors ground with a rope.
- When Fikowski reached the sled pull, he was nicely behind one among his idols, Josh Bridges.
Whereas many of the athletes within the area struggled to inch the sled alongside, Fikowski used big pulls to get the win, making it seem like a bag of maple leaves.
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In 2017, “Strongman’s Concern” offered one other dramatic comeback.
- He raced throughout the North Park area in Madison with a 500-pound yoke on his again, chasing Mat Fraser, who was pulling a 400-pound sled.
On this distinctive format, athletes might select during which order they moved three heavy odd objects throughout the sector, with loads of handstand strolling in between.
Fikowski edged out Fraser in a photograph end by simply nine-hundredths of a second.
You may binge-watch all of The Professor’s occasion wins right here (every hyperlink begins originally of Brent’s warmth):
2016
2017
2021
2023
9 – Video games Appearances
After two misses by the narrowest of margins in 2014 (one level) and 2015 (two factors), Fikowski has made the Video games yearly since 2016.
Solely a handful of athletes have as many appearances, and even fewer have been perennial podium contenders their complete profession.
12-Yr Profession
Fikowski’s first CrossFit Open got here in 2013 on the age of twenty-two.
He was pleasantly stunned by his efficiency, ending seventh in Australia (the place he was persevering with his training at Griffith College in Queensland) and a hundred and thirtieth Worldwide.
- He went on to put sixth within the Australia Regional, and the seed had been planted for the unbelievable profession we’ve had the privilege to witness.
Now 33 years outdated, he’s a seasoned veteran and, in his personal phrases, is “the fittest I’ve ever been.” He’s going out on his personal phrases to deal with main the Skilled Health Athletes’ Affiliation.
For the “Professor,” at the very least so far as the competitors area is anxious, class is dismissed.
Featured picture: Enrique Villaseñor