Community

Handstands For Hannah: Remembering A Victim Of Domestic Violence

February 27, 2020 by
Source: Butterfly Effect Competition
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Hannah Clarke is being remembered as a passionate CrossFitter and a mother who’d do anything for her three beautiful children.

  • The 31-year-old was killed last week in Queensland, Australia when her estranged partner Rohan Baxter doused her in gasoline and set the car she was traveling in on fire.
  • Her three children aged 6, 4 and 3 were in the back seat at the time — all four perished in the unthinkable act of domestic violence.

As the world began to learn more about Hannah, her passion for CrossFit became clear.

Pictures of Hannah in local competitions were plastered by news outlets around the world and as the community grieved, she was remembered as a passionate athlete who loved nothing more than fitness and her family.

In the wake of this tragedy, the worldwide CrossFit community is already mobilizing to support Hannah’s family and raise awareness for domestic violence.

Several WODs have been popping up — not just in Australia — but also in New Zealand, to remember Hannah Clarke and her three children.

  • #HannahsTributeWOD began in New Zealand and saw dozens of boxes completing:
    • 3 rounds for time
      31 Wall Balls (9/6kg)
      19 Power Cleans (60/40kg)
      2 Burpee Box Jump Overs
      20 Kettlebell Swings (24/16kg)
  • The three rounds represent Hannah’s three children — Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3 — who were killed in the car fire in Brisbane, Australia. Hannah was 31 years old when she was killed on February 19, 2020.

Daria Smith lives in New Zealand and although she never met Hannah Clarke as a fellow CrossFit athlete, she felt the urge to do the workout in Hannah’s honor.

  • “It was going through my mind ever since I first heard about it, having young children myself I just cannot imagine the pain this is causing her family,” she said.
  • “Being always surrounded by seemingly strong women in sports, it’s a good reminder that no one is immune to domestic violence and we all should pay closer attention to those around us,” she added.

Donelle DeVorms met Hannah Clarke at a local competition in Queensland Australia and said it was moving to workout with others who were mourning a friend.

  • “It was really good to be able to share that with other people, it was very quiet … there was lots of hugging,” Donelle DeVorms said.
  • “How Hannah was as a person, she was always smiling, happy and really outgoing and bubbly, to see someone like that taken so soon, obviously the circumstance is just really horrific,” Donelle DeVorms added.

Handstands for Hannah is another initiative started by Hannah’s friend and fellow CrossFitter Caitlin Langford.

  • Caitlin has partnered with support service DV Connect to raise funds and awareness for victims of domestic violence.
  • Her “Handstands for Hann” social media campaign already has hundreds of followers, ahead of the March 7 event, where their WOD will make its debut.
  • “Hann”
    • For time:
    • 100 ft handstand walk
    • 100 ft walking lunge (22.5’s/15’s)
    • 6 ring muscle ups
    • 100 ft handstand walk
    • 100 ft walking lunge (22.5’s/15’s)
    • 4 ring muscle ups
    • 100 ft handstand walk
    • 100 ft walking lunge (22.5’s/15’s)
    • 3 ring muscle ups

Watch the full workout description and scaling options.

  • Caitlin Langford said: “I see that there are so many people in the wider community who knew Hannah and her kids and just want to be involved in something.”

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