The champ is still here—Samantha Briggs that is.

 

This past weekend, Samantha Briggs re-claimed her title as the Wodapalooza Miami Elite Women’s champ at the 4^th annual Wodapalooza Miami. 2014 CrossFit Games rookie, and hometown Miami boy, Noah Ohlsen, joined her on the podium for the Men’s Division.

 

Behind them, for the Women’s Division, CrossFit Games athletes Emily Bridgers and Kaleena Ladeairous took 2^nd and 3^rd place respectively. And for the Men, Travis Mayer (2014 CrossFit Games) and Aaron Hanna (South East Regional competitor) claimed 2^nd and 3^rd.

 

At the end of the three-day Fitness Festival though, despite their final standings, participants said they felt a sense of accomplishment for having given it their all throughout the nine strategically-programmed WODs that tested all elements of fitness.

 

“I had a blast! I am tired, but don’t feel too beat up. I learned a ton about myself as an athlete—things I need to work on,” Men’s RX first-time Wodapalooza competitor Justin Goules said.

 

The classic Wodapalooza swim-element made its way back to the Wodapalooza whiteboard, this year in the Sit. Shoot. Swim. WOD [60-seond L-sit hold, 45 wallballs (12 feet/10 feet), 300-meter swim, 45 wallballs, 60-second L-sit hold], during which many athletes swam in the ocean for the first time.

 

“I had never swum in open water before—definitely something new for my training,” Stephanie Perez (Women’s RX competitor) said.

 

Others who have been part of the CrossFit community for many years said they were still challenged with new components of the experience.

 

“The Assault bike kicked my butt! I bought one of the bikes off site to keep training with it back at my gym,” Dominick Mauricio (Men’s Team Elite) said.

 

“I’ve been doing CrossFit for a few years, but this actually was my first time to sign up for a competition like this. I volunteered last year, and promised myself, the next year, I’d be out here. Just warming up with some up the Elite athletes of this sport was a surreal experience—and the best part? The support. They were so encouraging of everyone, just as supportive as anyone else in the community,” Emily O’hearn (Women’s Scaled) said.

 

In total, this year’s event saw more than 1,000 athletes, 460 volunteers, and thousands of spectators flock to Bayfront Park in the heart of Downtown Miami to “Celebrate” Fitness—this year’s Festival theme.

 

From athletes in action all day long, vendor village with everyone’s favorite brands and challenges for spectators to take part in (we liked the Doughnuts & Deadlifts booth); a Battle Frog obstacle course designed by Navy Seals; a seminar series featuring speakers on fitness, including Jason Khalipa and Danny Camargo (Olympic Weightlifting coach); and plenty of healthy, paleo meals and Bulletproof coffee to go around.

 

“I had a smile on my face the whole weekend,--it was just a gathering of people who all love and share a passion for fitness. It was great,”  event MC Mike Richards said.

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Wodapalooza Talent 2015
Preparing For The Open Like Ohlsen