With no Lindsey Valenzula and Sam Briggs the field is wide open.
Annie Thorisdottir and Julie Foucher are back, as the top two favourites in the 2014 CrossFit Games.
Don’t rule out Val Vobiril, Jenn Jones and Talyana Fortunado who are all set to challenge.
Watch Now > WOMEN’S TOP COMPETITORS – CROSSFIT GAMES 2014
Froning, Khalipa, Smith, Panchik or Leverich. Who is your pick to stand atop the podium in 2014?
The WOD Life cannot go past Rich Froning, tipping Panchik to make the podium for the first time this year and going for a dark horse in rookie Matt Fraser to surprise a few punters.
Watch Now the Men’s Top Competitors – CrossFit Games 2014:
Neil Maddox’s quest for a podium finish continues in 2014.
Mixing it with the likes of Jason Khalipa and Garrett Fisher, Maddox has established his own game plan in pursuit of a Top 3 finish at this years CrossFit Games.
Watch Now:
Chris Spealler, a hero of the CrossFit Games and OG will be hanging up his shoes after his seventh appearance at the CrossFit Games.
Take a look into this video produced by CrossFit HQ on THE SPEAL!
Watch Now
Full Article Here:
http://journal.crossfit.com/2014/07/hanging-up-his-shoes.tpl
Project Mayhem continue to set the bar high with their workouts. They bring us this spicy Wednesday Workout:
10 Rounds
15 Wall ball (20/14)
3 Clean & Jerks (225/135)
Rich Froning hits the 225 (100kg) Clean and Jerks like they are nothing! Get your dose of mid-week motivation with this Wednesday Workout from Project Mayhem!
Watch Now >
Whether you’re a beginner or very experienced athlete, preventing excitement and competition from making you think that you’re ready to add an extra 20 kgs. to the bar for a workout is a challenge. The battle of choosing what weight you should use can be a tough one, so here are some tips to keep in mind.
#1: Be honest with yourself — safety comes first.
No matter what level you’re at, you are not invincible, injury is always a possibility. Don’t allow yourself to feel pressured to use the same weight as the person next to you. It’s important to measure yourself against yourself because only you know how your body really feels. Track your progress and use your own notes as a benchmark.
#2: Value your coaches.
CrossFit gyms around the world have some amazing coaches, so use their knowledge and experience to your advantage. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, that’s what they’re there for. They can help you understand your ability and strengths and weaknesses to better assess what weight you are capable of safely handling.
#3: Recognise that all progress counts.
Don’t let yourself be discouraged by the fact that you don’t use Rx weights yet, no matter what level you started at, every time you are able to cut your time, up your rounds, or increase your weight a little, it means you are improving. With dedication you will eventually reach all your goals so there’s no need to rush into it and push yourself too far beyond your present limits. The more you progress with correct form, the stronger and healthier you will be in the long run.
#4: Keep your goals in check.
There is a right time and place to test your limits to their maximum. In the middle of a WOD is not one of them. Form quickly breaks down while working out as your muscles get tired, making you more susceptible to injury. Use your WODs to improve your time and round counts while using weights you know you can handle. Save the heavy lifting and strength training for another time. You can work on increasing your lifts and strength on the side, with a coach’s help, and while taking the proper amount of rest. If you maintain proper form and increase your lifts slowly, you will gain more strength for your WODs.
#5: Remember what CrossFit is all about.
After all, the goal of CrossFit is to create a broad, general, and inclusive fitness. CrossFit wants to harness the potential we all have within us and prepare all of its athletes for the unknown and unknowable. Keep in mind the sum of coach Greg Glassman’s famous equation:
CVFM @ HI + Communal Environment = Health
Constantly varied (CV), functional movements (FM), performed at a high intensity (HI), along with the communal environment of a CrossFit box, all leads to the ultimate goal of health and fitness. The universal scalability of CrossFit is what makes it’s fundamental movements so important for everyone to work on. So remember to scale appropriately, health, and not injury, is the goal here.
In the end, remember that your fitness will always be a journey. Whether you Rx workouts now or not, track your progress and learn about your body’s own strengths and weaknesses — make sure to push yourself just the right amount!
– The WOD Life
This week we saw Asia, South Central, Mid Atlantic and Southern California throw down in the second to last week of the Regionals Competition.
Southern California
Men
Kenneth Leverich edged out Josh Bridges for first spot, with import Dan Bailey booking another trip to Carson in third.
Top 10 Overall
1. Kenneth Leverich (31)
2. Josh Bridges (36)
3. Dan Bailey (51)
4. Tommy Pease (65)
5. Ryan Fischer (71)
6. Taylor Yaffee (79)
7. Michael Hernandez (91)
8. Chad Melton (94)
9. Bryan Miller (96)
10. Wayne Willette (99)
Women
Another big name in Lindsey Valenzula failed to make the cut, with Games Veterans Valerie Voboril and Becca Voight finishing ahead of her, as well as young gun and new comer to the individual stage in Lauren Fisher.
Top 10 Overall
1. Valerie Voboril (21)
2. Rebecca Voigt (29)
3. Lauren Fisher (30)
4. Lindsey Valenzuela (39)
5. Jamie Hagiya (44)
6. Chelsey Grigsby (67)
7. Meaghan Galindo (75)
8. Melissa Popovich (77)
9. Rachel Serna (84)
10. Carlie Stone (88)
South Central
Men
Upset’s aplenty in South Central with previous years qualifiers Roy Gambo and Mike McGoldrick both missing out for the Men.
CrossFit Games Qualifiers
1. Jordan Cook (62)
2. Jeff Germond (78)
3. Richard Bohlken (81)
Women
It was once again the Jenn Jones show, who is a hot top for podium this year after qualifying two years running in the South Central Region.
CrossFit Games Qualifiers
1. Jenn Jones (29)
2. Cassidy Lance (39)
3. Amanda Schwartz (41)
Mid Atlantic
Men
Prodigy Ben Smith who claimed he barely tested the Regional workouts before competing qualifies once again in a quest to challenge Froning’s thrown. Fan favourite Nate “The Viking” Schrader makes it back after missing out last year and Jordan Troyan the college swimmer is set to take the stage in California for back to back years.
CrossFit Games Qualifiers
1. Ben Smith (33)
2. Nate Schrader (38)
3. Jordan Troyan (61)
Women
The Mid Atlantic was hotly contested this year with Emily Freidman and Alea Helmick both missing out. Kittelberger and Adkins will be joined by Anna Tunnicliffe in 2014.
CrossFit Games Qualifiers
1. Gretchen Kittelberger (37)
2. Christy Adkins (43)
3. Anna Tunnicliffe (43)
Asia
Men
Eric Carmody won a tie breaker to be the only male to qualify out of the Asia Region for 2014. Last years qualifier Mogard finishes in third place.
1. Eric Carmody (46)
2. Phil Hesketh (46)
3. Michael Mogard (48).
Women
For the ladies Marlene Anderson fought off tough competition from Candice Ford to qualify.
1. Marlene Andersen (25)
2. Candice Ford (29)
3. Yuko Sakuyama (31)
Mandatory athlete check-in will take place at the competition venue on Thursday, May 15. Hours to be announced.
Don’t forget to come and say G’Day to The WOD Life!
Take a look behind the scenes for several of the key athletes looking to take a spot on the podium for the CrossFit Games Australian Regional.
Watch Now:
Credit – Fit Buds
CrossFit Media catch up with Australia’s own CrossFit Games Champion and all round inspiration, Amanda Allen.
Sub 3 Minutes with Amanda Allen – Watch Now:
The WOD Life is proud to welcome Athlete Josh Santhou to the Team. Josh currently trains at Powerhouse CrossFit in New South Wales, Australia and recently qualified for The CrossFit Games – Australian Regionals. A young athlete on the rise, we look forward to supporting Josh’s progress and growth as an athlete and competitor.
With a passion for sport and fitness, Josh played Rugby League all throughout his schooling years. He also found himself doing a lot of distance running, which helped him build an engine. Training CrossFit for approximately two years, graduating from the gym and his version of CrossFit, being “super setting” at the globo gym.
The last year has seen Josh focus his goals, with his head down and train hard. Coached by Olympic Weightlifting legend Donny Shankle, Josh also surrounded himself with some of Australia’s best CrossFit Athletes in Jason Haywood, CJ Walker and Keegan Wolfenden. This commitment has seen Josh qualify for the CrossFit Games Australian Regionals for the first time.
Josh has developed a great passion for CrossFit. “I love the fact that CrossFit puts me on my back every workout” he says. With continual improvements and progression, Santhou loves the competition aspect but he explains that without a doubt his favourite part is the atmosphere and community. “Being surrounded by like minded, positive and strong minded people who encourage and push each other to be the best they can be every single day. Who wouldn’t love that!!!” he explains.
With Regionals fast approaching, The WOD Life caught up with Josh to ask him a few questions!
What are you looking forward to most at Regionals?
I’m looking forward to testing out just how far my body can push. I know in local comps you just push yourself to that next level so I can only imagine how much harder I’ll push when throwing down with the biggest names in Australia and New Zealand.
What Events are you looking forward to the most?
What workout are you looking forward to the most? I think strengths wise the legless rope climbs workout will be good for me. Shorter, more explosive workouts are a stronger point.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you?
The 50’s and strict HSPU are going to be tough! I’ve worked a lot on handstand coming into regionals but not strict ones!
What does The WOD Life mean to you?
The WOD Life to me is a lot more than just a sponsor which provides the highest quality gear. To me they portray opportunity! I plan on going as far as I can in this sport, not only with regionals etc but down the track looking at possibly the NPFL and other opportunities overseas.
I know that with the support of The WOD Life this is possible. Ben and Andy from The WOD Life are really committed not only to kitting me out but to helping me make the most out of this amazing sport as I can! I can’t wait to see where it takes us and I am so appreciative to have them backing me!
Name – Josh Santhou
Age – 24
Affiliate – Powerhouse CrossFit
Fran – 2:11
Helen – 7:44
Grace – 1:54
Favourite Girl WOD: Amanda
Favourite Workout: Anything thats a good race between me and the other boys in the gym! Every second Tuesday we do a team chipper in the gym. We draw names out of a hat and there’s a filthy workout which you work:rest 1:1. It’s always close at the end and a good competitive yet fun atmosphere!
Be sure to welcome Josh to The WOD Life Team and look out for him competing at the upcoming CrossFit Games Australia Regionals in Wollongong 16th to 18th of May. Also follow his journey on Instagram (@jbsanthou) and Facebook!
PHOTO CREDIT: XAVIER PIXELS
With the Hang Snatch featuring in Event One of the CrossFit Games Regionals, just around the corner what better way to watch the Pro’s?
Featuring Chad Mackay, Jason Khalipa, Scott Panchick, Rebecca Voight, Alessandra Pichelli and Ruth Anderson-Horrell, the Hang Snatch was one of the events at the CrossFit Tour in Queenstown, NZ.
Enjoy all of the action, including a Kiwi inspired PR from Khalipa!
Watch Now – CrossFit Tour Hang Snatch Event
Get first access to promotions, new collections and training news.
