CrossFit Games

Ben Smith Gets the Nod, Receives Wildcard

July 27, 2019 by
Photo courtesy of Reebok.
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Ben Smith was contacted by CrossFit and offered a wildcard spot and Smith has accepted, the Morning Chalk Up has confirmed.

In the days after Ben Smith posted to Instagram, “I’d go throw down hard next week if the wildcard opportunity came up,” the CrossFit community rallied around Smith in droves. Noah Ohlsen, Jason Carroll, Laura Horvath, Tim Paulson, Kristi Eramo, Cole Sager, Beyond the Whiteboard, Adam Klink, Julie Foucher, Chris Hinshaw and Stacie Tovar all showed public support for Smith to receive a wildcard invite.

“I don’t deserve it, but I’m gonna go throw down 100%. I can’t wait, I’m so fired up!!” Ben Smith told the Morning Chalk Up. “But I owe this all to the fans and support I had from the community who pushed to get me there this year. You all are amazing, I thank each and every one of you. Let’s get some!!”

Even Rich Froning weighed in, posting to Instagram, “Since we’re doing this wild card thing now, I think if anyone deserves it it’s @bsmit13. So let’s start it #getbensmithtothegames.”

By receiving a wildcard invite, Smith will extend his streak of individual CrossFit Games appearances to 11 straight, the longest of any athlete in history.

Related: “The Case for a Ben Smith Wildcard is Stronger Than You Think”

“Ben Looks real good,” longtime friend and training partner Adam Klink told the Morning Chalk Up. “If he competed in a Sanctionals right now, he would qualify.”

Smith has been recovering from minor knee surgery since the end of January. Smith’s road to recovery was relatively quick but was unable to train seriously until just before the Rogue Invitational where he placed 14th. Recently, he’s put up some strong lifting numbers, hitting a 330 pound clean double and a 290 pound snatch.

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