Local CrossFit athletes represented South Africa over the weekend at the CrossFit Meridian Regionals and did the country proud.
Image via Twitter @CFGMeridian
Two of the four local teams in attendance finished in the top four, earning them a place at the CrossFit Games, which take place from 1-5 August 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin in the US, where the world’s finest athletes will battle it out for the title of ‘Fittest on Earth’.
Cape CrossFit Wolfpack, which included Matthew Bowerman, Christian Oman, Vicky Polydorou, Nicole Warburg Mackenzie, and Richard Wollbolt, dominated much of the team competition. The team took first place in three of the six events. Unfortunately, uncharacteristic performances in events 3 and 4 saw the team place 15thand 13th, respectively, which ultimately put pay to their overall win aspirations. However, a credible 4thin event 6 was sufficient to secure them 2ndoverall and that coveted spot at the Games.
Trailing Cape CrossFit by 12 points was another South African team, CrossFit Valley Road. Teammates Tasquane Hufkie, Sara Rudiger, Dean Shaw and Jaco van der Vyver were consistent throughout much of the team competition, winning event 3 on their way to third overall at Regionals. However, a 12thplace in the final event saw them finish behind their compatriots.
Among the female athletes, Celestie Engelbrecht from CrossFit Tijger Valley, who is the reigning South African champion, was the highest placed athlete, in 17th. Nikita-Jenna van Rooyen from CrossFit Urban Shack was two places further back in 19thoverall.
Unfortunately all local athletes finished outside the top 4 qualifying spots for the Games.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
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