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Breaking Down The Men's 2015 Open Leaderboard

If it’s true that the results of the annual CrossFit Games have been influenced influenced by the results of the proceeding Open, then it looks like the CrossFit community may have a new Games champ in 2015.

Apr 9, 2015

Kara Webb Seeks Redemption In 2015

Second place ain’t all that bad when it comes to competing against the quarter-thousand who participated in the 2015 CrossFit Open.

Apr 8, 2015

Analysis Of The Women's 2015 Open Leaderboard

Another year of the CrossFit Open has come and gone. In the blink of an eye, five weeks went by, and, like any heated sporting event, both expectations, along with some surprises, occurred.

Apr 8, 2015

What's In Store: Thorisdottir Three-peat?

Video By: CrossFit HQ Annie Thorisdottir is the only female, to date, to win the CrossFit Games twice (2011 and 2012).

Apr 3, 2015

The 2015 Open Is In The Books

Video By: CrossFit HQ

Apr 1, 2015

Briggs Claims 15.5 Title Against Reigning Champ

Video By: CrossFit HQ  

Mar 27, 2015

Fraser Vs. Froning: It's Anyone's Game

Four down, one to go.   And look who is on top.   On the tails of Open WOD 15.4, Mat Fraser, 2014’s “2nd Fittest Man in the World” currently sits on top of the Leaderboard, beating the Champ (Froning), himself, by five points overall.   Every year, since 2012, Froning has won the Open. With only one more week to go, there could be a new Open leader amongst the Individual Men’s Division Worldwide if 15.5 works in Fraser’s favor. “I almost feel like I’ve poked the bear, and Rich is going to come back stronger,” Fraser said to Pat Sherwood when asked about his current first-place lead. However, when asked by Sherwood, “Are you fitter than last year?”   Fraser said: “Point blank: Yes I am.”   During this time last year, Fraser was sitting in 8th place overall following 14.4, and finished 7th overall prior to his first CrossFit Games appearance where he took the second place podium spot. While it is still early on in the season, is Fraser giving the Champ a run for his spot? “I’d be lying to say I’m happy to be in second,” Froning said Tuesday on the CrossFit Games update show. “The wallball workout didn’t go according to plan, and (that) effects the overall leaderboard. Everyone’s done so well so far, and everyone’s grouped so close together. There’s so many points in just two to three spots. Our ultimate goal is to get to the Games (as a team),” Froning said. As previously mentioned, Froning has stated that, this year, he plans to ‘go team’ with his affiliate CrossFit Mayhem.   While Froning may not be planning to be at the ‘big show’ as an individual this year, if Fraser takes the Open, what does that say about his potential going into Games season?   Since the Champ has “won” the Open, his Regional, and the Games for the past three years, Fraser has some big shoes to fill if 15.5 works out in his favor.  However, with Fraser’s back-to-back champion titles at the highly competitive East Coast Championships the past two years, and his emergence seemingly out of nowhere to claim the “2nd Fittest Man” spot at the 2014 Games, it’s not highly unlikely.   On the flip side, there IS still one week left, and if anyone knows Froning, they know he is a 4th quarter kind of guy. Known for his consistency, not necessarily first-place status, on the majority of workouts at the CrossFit Games, Froning has a history of consistently staying near the top until the very end. For instance, after a ‘bad’ workout on the Triple-3 in Carson last year, putting him in 37th place, and even a few challenges on day 2 (27th place on the Spring Sled-2, and 15th on the Sprint Carry), Froning kept his cool throughout the weekend, and his three first place finishes on the final day was where the Games was won.    That being said, what if Froning does pull through on 15.5 and re-claims his Open-leader title? Even though he is planning to go to the Games as a ‘team’, what does that say about Fraser should Fraser become the next in line as “The Fittest Man on Earth”? Would Fraser truly be the Fittest Man? Or would his title be tainted, if Froning wins the Open? If this is the case, and Froning’s name is on the top of the leaderboard next week, he is still the champ after all, right? It’s a tricky (and sticky) call.   As an eternal optimist, I beg to believe there is room for a new champ in town, and that there’s NO DOUBTING these two boys work hard. Froning may be the naturally-born CrossFit champ, but perhaps Fraser is the “fittest man” who could finally give Froning a little push to assert his title. In a community and sport known for its support of one another, I say there’s room big enough for the two of them.    What are your thoughts as Froning and Fraser prepare to go into the final    WOD with their place on the Leaderboard so close?     Share your comments here!

Mar 25, 2015

Fraser Leads The Open, A New Era Dawning?

Since he began the sport in 6th grade, Mat Fraser was certain he was destined to become an Olympic lifter. “Both of my parents were in the Olympics. they were a pair together, in figure skating. So my goal was to make that a thing… and weightlifting is one of the original Olympic sports, so I thought, ‘there you go.”

Mar 24, 2015

Men's Individual Leaderboard

Video By: Metcon Action As the time cap for 15.4 came to a close, many were surprised with the new face that claimed the first place position in the workout. Jacob Anderson, the 21 year old out of CrossFit Boro, dominated his competition and finished above even the top men in the field, including Rich Froning, Josh Bridges and Mat Fraser. Anderson totaled 183, 9 reps above Froning who came in second place with 174, and Fraser who claimed fourth with 172.  Heading into the final workout of the 2015 Open, it's anyone's game. While Fraser currently resides in the top spot, the reigning Fittest Man On Earth is within striking distance of the title, once again. Who's going to take it all heading into Regionals?  Leaderboard provided by CrossFit HQ Related Articles:  Hassle Free Spring Breakers LIVE On FloElite! The Final Pan Am Qualifier... One More Time 

Mar 24, 2015

Notable WOD's Of The 2015 Open

As we make our way through the 2015 Open, take a look at some of the most notable WODs athletes have completed and submitted from around the world.  15.1 TAMA COOPER. Aussie competitor Tama Cooper breaks down the first WOD of the 2015 Open, from initial expectations to surprising struggles many athletes have dealt with. Video By: The RX Review 15.2 BJORK ODINSDOTTIR. A veteran of the sport, Odinsdottir is definitely one to watch out for this year.  Video By: Bjork Odinsdottir JOSH BRIDGES. Crushing it since Day 1, Bridges got after 15.2, finishing with a total rep count of 435. Video By: RX Action RICH FRONING & CAMILLE LEBLANC BAZINET. Do you really need any other reason to watch the two fittest people on earth get after the second Open workout? Nah, didn't think so. Video By: Metcon Action  15.3 SAM BRIGGS. There's a reason this woman placed first in 15.3. She's got muscle-ups you have to see to believe (and you still may not believe she's human). Video By: Metcon Action 15.4 JACOB ANDERSON. As the time cap for 15.4 came to a close, many were surprised with the new face that claimed the first place position in the workout. Jacob Anderson, the 21 year old out of CrossFit Boro, dominated his competition and finished above even the top men in the field, including Rich Froning, Josh Bridges andMat Fraser. Anderson totaled 183, 9 reps above Froning who came in second place with 174, and Fraser who claimed fourth with 172.  Related Articles:  15.4 Live Announcement: Getting Gymnasty With HSPUs TOVAR: Training For The Unknown  Heavy Weights: Bridges Vs. Panchik In 15.4

Mar 20, 2015

15.4 Live Announcement: We're Getting Gymnasty With HSPUs

Video By: CrossFit HQ Without the doubt, the biggest surprise from the 15.4 Live Announcement? Handstand pushups. For the first time in CrossFit’s history, this movement has been included in The Open. Up to this point, the highest number of handstand push-ups that have been part of a workout, was 50 at a regional (at the 4 minute mark of 15.4, Scott Panchik had already completed 63 reps). In years past, Dave Castro has left out this movement  due to the lack of a standard that was applicable to athletes everywhere. Finally, the masterminds behind it all came up with such a standard that was tailored to each athlete individually.  

Mar 20, 2015

Heavy weights: Bridges vs. Panchik in 15.4

  At 169 and 189 pounds, Josh Bridges and Scott Panchik hardly qualify as heavyweights in the world of weightlifting -- or any sport, really -- but that doesn’t mean Dave Castro and the infamous minds behind the Open workouts won’t test these athletes with, well, heavy weight.    Many in the CrossFit community, in fact, are begging for it.   On CrossFit forums and social media sites athletes and fans are predicting chippers and ladders featuring everything from heavy deadlifts to heavy cleans to heavy thrusters. Well, not everyone: AtomicPete predicted on Reddit that 15.4 will feature hugs for time.   Let’s dissect: While hugs are probably not in the cards, many of the bar movements are fair game. Despite testing the one-rep max clean and jerk in week one, a series of heavy cleans is in the realm of possibility as is a ladder of increasingly heavy deadlifts.    Historically, week four has featured bodyweight movements, including muscle-ups, wall balls, double unders and toes-to-bar, all of which have been featured this year. In 2011, week four also featured overhead squats while 2013 featured heavy cleans, so it’s a fairly safe bet to expect this week’s WOD to feature some combination of barbell movement and untapped body movement (read: burpees).Since 2011, thrusters have always come the final week of the Open. By this point, it’s tradition.    Even Castro wouldn’t mess with tradition...   Last year in week four, Castro introduced the 60-calorie row into the workout, much to the dismay of garage gyms, independent athletes and service members serving in Afghanistan who didn’t have access to the equipment. Castro has already caused a firestorm this year by including muscle-ups at the beginning of week three’s AMRAP, so maybe he’ll ease up in week four. Right.   Many predict he’ll introduce a new movement to the Open, either pistols or handstand push-ups. Neither require special equipment, but both could eliminate more athletes from the Rx pool.Whatever the movements, 15.4 is bound to be an exciting matchup. Just four points separated Bridges and Panchik at the 2014 Games, with Bridges finishing just off the podium in fourth and Panchik in fifth.   Throughout the Games, Bridges and Panchik were neck and neck, with 14 top-10 finishes between them and neither finishing outside the top-30 in any event. The two are also fairly even when it comes to strength vs. body movements. At the Games, Bridges fell behind in the overhead squat event, but excelled in the 21-15-9 complex, which featured deadlifts, cleans and snatches. Panchik did well in both events and took eighth in Double Grace, but he fell behind in the sprint workouts giving Bridges the edge and claim of the fourth place slot.   One thing is for sure: Thursday’s announcement and matchup at CrossFit X-Factor in Portland, Ore., will be exciting.   Of course, none of this analysis means anything if Castro decides to throw in an unexpected movement these athletes aren’t expecting -- say, hugs? Related: The 2015 Arnold Weightlifting Championships Coverage  Vega, Mangold Round Out Women's Pan Am Team  15.3 The Year Of Muscle Ups   

Mar 19, 2015

15.3: The Year Of Muscle Ups

Video By: CrossFit  They did it.   For the first time in the CrossFit Open’s five-year history, CrossFit has programmed muscle-ups at the beginning of an Open workout.   This week’s Open WOD (15.3) consists of a shoulder blasting triplet:   14-minute AMRAP: 7 muscle-ups 50 wall-balls 100 double-unders   Julie Foucher and Lauren Brooks were the first two athletes to test out the workoutThursday night during their head to head match at CrossFit Chicago in Chicago, where Foucher pulled out ahead by a full round, with a final score of 501 to Brooks’ 420.   After taking third place at the 2014 Games last year, Foucher appeared hungry for what she later said she’s working towards: “I want to have fun and come out on top,” she said.   Despite several missed double-unders on round one, Fouchers’ unbroken 28 out of 28 muscle-ups and unbroken wall-balls was where the race was won. Brooks fell behind as she had to break up her muscle-ups, one by one, and took self-initiated  rest breaks throughout her wall-balls and double-unders in order to recover her lung capacity.  At the sound of the buzzer, as the crowd went wild, as the announcers claimed they never thought anyone would get past 500.   “I think I had the right strategy. You have to start out a little bit fast, then settle in,” Foucher said, following the event.   Announcers Rory McKernon and Nicole Carroll, director of CrossFit's Certification and Training Department, analyzed the performance when all was said and done. Carroll, also known as an ‘Original Nasty Girl’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0nPnElcqgU&feature=youtu.be&t=12m13s ) also provided tips for all athletes who will be completing the same workout in their affiliates and home boxes this weekend   “For many athletes this is going to be a sticking point, and a fork in the road for their competition. If you don’t have muscle-ups, and know this for sure, go scaled. But if you’re close, and have the pull-up and ring dip capacity, give this a shot,” Carroll, said. “For other athletes (who have muscle-ups), these movements, back to back, only mean one thing:metabolic pain. Breathe, relax, keep the wheels on the bus, and dial that back in to the techniques of the movements,” she said.   Camille Leblanc Bazinet also made a special guest appearance, and caught up with Foucher, Brooks, Rory and Dave Castro following the 15.3 announcement.     Her strategy?   “Get one more than Julie.”

Mar 13, 2015

Windy City Chipper: Predictions for 15.3

  Freezing temperatures finally broke in the upper Midwest in time for Games giants Julie Foucher and Lauren Brooks to descend upon the CrossFit Chicago March 12 for week three of the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games Open.   In week one, Rich Froning and Mat Fraser went head to head in a nine-minute AMRAP of toes-to-bar, deadlifts and snatches, followed by establishing a one-rep max in the clean and jerk. Week two featured Emily Bridgers and Michele Letendre repeating last year’s hellish 3-minute series of overhead squats and chest-to-bar pull-ups in increasing numbers for as long as possible.   Fans’ and Open athletes’ predictions for 15.3 vary from muscle-up buy-ins followed by an intense chipper of wall balls, box jumps and double-unders, to a death-by thruster/burpee AMRAP.   Many speculate on social media that because this WOD is sponsored by jump rope manufacturer Rx Smart Gear, it has to include some combination of double- -- or even triple- -- unders. This being the Open, double-unders seem more likely.   More support for the chipper theory: Foucher and Brooks both excel in body-movement exercises. Currently sitting in 23 on the Open Leaderboard, Foucher placed in the top 10 for 15.1 and top 20 for 15.2, but took a hit in 15.1a for her one-rep max clean and jerk. Brooks fared better in 15.1a, placing 29th in the world; but she has yet to finish in the top-100 in a 2105 Open WOD.   In the 2014 Open, Foucher finished second in 14.4, which included wall balls and muscle-ups. A rookie in 2014, Brooks finished in the top-75 in 14.4. Brooks’ strength lies in her speed. In the 2014 Games, she took first or second in the three sprint events and in the Triple-3 event, which featured rowing, double unders and a 3-mile run, she placed 10th. Foucher placed 6th.   Historically, Week Three of the Open has favored bodyweight movements. Three years ago, 12.3 featured box jumps and toes-to-bars along with a push press; a year later, athletes were challenged with an AMRAP of 150 wall balls, 90 double-unders and 30 muscle-ups; and last year box jumps and heavy deadlifts tested athletes for an eight-minute AMRAP. In 2014, the wall balls and muscle-ups didn’t come until week four.    For those predicting thrusters in week three -- those buggers have come in the final week of every CrossFit Games Open. But, of course, it’s Dave Castro’s game and he can do what he wants. Related Articles:  Showdown in Austin: Letendre Faces Off Against Bridgers In 15.2 CrossFit HQ Reveals Killer 15.1 Opener

Mar 10, 2015

Showdown in Austin: Letendre faces off against Bridgers in 15.2

  As Week One draws to a close, athletes are nursing flappers and torn callouses while fans anxiously await to see what Dave Castro and CrossFit officials have in mind for the second workout, which pits fourth-place Games finisher Michele Letendre against sixth-place finisher Emily Bridgers.   The showdown between the two 5’1”, 135-pound athletes takes place March 5 in Austin, Texas, at CrossFit Jääkarhu. “It’s really hard to find another athlete who had a better 2014 than Emily Bridgers,” said Tommy Marquez, CrossFit Games analyst, in a video posted by CrossFit. Marquez added that for the past three years, Bridgers has had a top-10 finish in the Open, making her a favorite to watch in 2015.   Letendre, a Games veteran and top-15 finisher in 2013, had an impressive showing in 2014 with eight top-10 finishes, including first place in the push-pull WOD.   Throughout the workouts during the 2014 Games, the spread between Bridgers and Letendre was fairly wide -- with each athlete swapping a top-10 finish with a top-20 finish -- except for the 21-15-9 complex where Letendre took 8th and Bridgers finished 11th. It’s plausible Games officials would match up these athletes with Week 2 based on that workout, which, unfortunately for Open athletes hoping to hang in the RX division, featured a lot of bar work, including muscle-ups.   One of Letendre’s favorite movements is the muscle-up and Bridgers, a collegiate gymnast, also excels in the movement; although it seems especially cruel to feature the muscle-up so early in the Open (it typically rears its ugly head in week three or four).   Past week-two WODs have tested athletes on deadlifts, snatches, overhead squats, push-ups, pull-ups, and box jumps. It’s (probably) safe to assume deadlifts and snatches won’t be featured given their place in Week One. It’s also (hopefully) true that this week won’t feature pull-ups since toes-to-bars were prominent last week.   It’s almost a certainty this week will feature box jumps, which may prove challenging for Letendre who tumbled down to 666th place on the Open leaderboard in 2014 in week three – a WOD that featured an AMRAP of deadlifts and box jumps.   A WOD similar to Week Three from 2013, which featured a 12-minute AMRAP of 150 wall balls, 90 double-unders and 30 muscle-ups is also not out of the question, as officials let athletes’ tender palms heal up for another week – assuming they swap those muscle-ups for box jumps. Related Articles:  The Battle For Pan Ams Begins At The Arnold  CrossFit Open Unveils Killer 15.1 Workout 

Mar 4, 2015