With just one day to go until the CrossFit Games kicks off in Madison, Wisconsin, we take a look at the three athletes to watch in the men’s and women’s events.
MENS
MATHEW FRASER
The Tenneesse man is the Goliath of the draw entering this week’s Games.
At 29, the three-times defending champion continues to get better and extend the gap between himself and the rest of the competition.
His achievements speak for themselves, with three Games wins, four Open championship victories and triumphs at the Dubai CrossFit Championship and Rogue Invitational.
Based on 2019 form, it’s safe to say he is the man to beat again, taking top spot at the Rogue in May with more than 150 points to spare over second-placed Patrick Vellner.
The key question will be: Can anyone topple his dominance in Madison this weekend?
PATRICK VELLNER
The 2018 runner-up returns this year looking fit and firing, having clinched victory at Wodapalooza and showing enough class that indicates he could actually usurp Fraser.
The 29-year-old has the potential to be the Fittest Man on Earth, but needs to avoid a combination of mistakes and bad luck if he is to challenge the top of the leaderboard.
In 2017, the Toronto man clawed back a third-placed finish after a terrible start in the swimming event. And, last year, he crashed during the bike event and lost serious time during the obstacle course, but still managed to finish second overall.
Needs to bring his A game to Wisconsin if he is to have any hope of winning.
BRENT FIKOWSKI
Another man who could wrestle Fraser’s iron-like grip on the winners’ trophy is Fikowski.
The 28-year-old, a former professional volleyball player, finished second in the 2017 Games and has looked a menace ever since.
Although he finished fourth last season, the Canadian has shown steady signs of improvement over the last 12 months, producing a clinical display to win the Asia CrossFit Championship in April.
Has the potential and confidence to secure a best-ever finish at the Games.
WOMEN’S
TIA-CLAIR TOOMEY
The Australian, 26, is the clear favourite to win in Madison this weekend.
The two-time reigning champion shows no signs of slowing down either, continuously improving her lifts and form as each year passes.
The Brisbane native claimed top spot in her two sanctioned appearances this term, winning Wodapalooza in scintillating style and then sealing victory at the Rogue Invitational in Ohio in May.
Toomey has a lock on the female side, and it comes down to whether anyone can rise up to take the title from her.
SARA SIGMUNDSDOTTIR
After withdrawing from last year’s Games due to a rib injury, the Iceland native has returned and looks close to her best ahead of this weekend.
Her season got off to a blazing start with back-to-back third-place finishes at Dubai and Wodapalooza.
The 26-year-old went on to win Strength in Depth in February, sealing her ticket to the Games in the process.
Adding to that strong form, she triumphed at the CrossFit Open in late March, beating her compatriot Annie Thorisdottir by a comprehensive 32 points.
If Sigmundsdottir continues to perform to this high standard, then she has a big chance of lifting a maiden Games title.
KATRIN DAVIDSDOTTIR
Another Iceland native, she has looked way off her best since winning the Games in 2015 and 2016.
A former gymnast, Davidsdottir failed to reach the podium in 2017 but improved last year to finish third overall.
Despite her drop in form over the last two years, Davidsdottir, like her closest opponents also 26, comes into the Games on the back of victory at the Fittest in Cape Town, and has proven before that she still has the bite and talent to push Toomey and Sigmundsdottir.
