The CrossFit Games are nearing the final stage of competition with the final 40 males, females and teams set to compete in Carson, California, USA, from July 21st – 26th, and some of the UAE’s finest CrossFit athletes are going to be a part of the action after stellar performances at the Meridian Regionals held in Copenhagen, Denmark!
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The CrossFit Games is a global fitness competition with three stages; stage one is the CrossFit Open where people compete from anywhere in the world and try to qualify for a spot at one of the eight CrossFit Regionals.
From here only the top five males, females, and teams will earn the right to participate in the major fitness showcase known as the CrossFit Games.
This year, the United Arab Emirates was grouped with the Africa continent where only a combined 10 spots were available to compete at the Meridian Regional, so for UAE athletes to make it to the next stage they not only had to do better than the hundreds from around the UAE, they had to gain a top ten finish against the thousands from around Africa as well.
After making the top 10, athletes then had to compete against the top 30 athletes/teams from around Europe in three days and seven different events of competition at the CrossFit Meridian Regionals in Copenhagen, Denmark.
UAE Coach Phil Hesketh Qualifies For CrossFit Games Finals
The UAE was well represented in the Women’s and Men’s competition also with all our athletes shining in different events with top 10 event finishes. At the end of the weekend and seven events, the UAE had outstanding finishes in the individual male competition.
Dubai based CrossFit coach Phil Hesketh qualified for the finals with a 5th placing after standing in 6th place with only two events to go. Phil showed great determination to finish strong in the last two events by beating the competitor that was sitting in 5th at the start of the day.
Phil now has eight weeks to prepare for what he describes as “a dream come true”.
Other UAE athletes Justin Ahrens (7th), and Mikko Apronpaa (12th) came very close to claiming one of the top five qualifying places and although this year was not to be, they said the experience was amazing and are already looking forward to next year’s competition.
Overall Regional Placings for UAE athletes
UAE Teams (Final Placing)
CrossFit Metalize (24th)
CrossFit Utmost (30th)
Female Athletes (Final Placing)
Candice Ford (23rd)
Carrie Freestone (36th)
Male Athletes (Final Placing)
Phil Hesketh (5th)
Justin Ahrens (7th)
Mikko Apronpaa (12th)
Mahmood Shalan (37th)
To see more on the CrossFit Games, go to games.crossfit.com
*A previous version of this article stated that CroffFit Yas finished second and qualified for the event in Carson. Unfortunately the team was disqualified because one of their teammates, Tamarind Robinson, didn’t move from Australia to the UAE until January 27 (The deadline was January 1), per the CrossFit Games Rule Book on Team Requirements.
