Competition

Jayson Hopper Living up to Mat Fraser’s Praise at Rogue Invitational

October 31, 2021 by
Photo Credit: Athlete's Eye Photography
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When a five-time CrossFit Games champion—aka Mat Fraser—speaks highly of your talent, chances are you’re probably pretty legit. 

Such is the case for Jayson Hopper, the 2021 CrossFit Games rookie who heads into Day 3 of this weekend’s Rogue Invitational in Austin, TC in fourth place, and just 15 points out of a podium spot. 

Hopper has been following Fraser’s HWPO programming in recent months, and while his personal coach is Jake Marconi, he has also spent time in person with Fraser, who couldn’t be more impressed with the 24 year-old.

  • “There’s so much untapped potential there…(He’s) an absolute stud of an athlete. He is cranking out numbers in the gym that are just mind boggling,” Fraser said of watching and coaching Hopper recently in Vermont. 

And if the first two days of the Rogue Invitational this weekend are any indication that Fraser knows a bit about spotting talent, then it’s safe to say Fraser is on point.

Hooper at Rogue: Hopper came out strong on Day one, placing fifth and sixth on Event 1 and 2 respectively, and went into Day 2 in fourth overall.

  • Day 2 was as promising for Hopper, starting on Event 3—a thruster and Echo bike event. He won the event in a time of 2:33.
  • Hopper didn’t do as well on the next two events—8th and 14th respectively—but has still done enough to head into Day 3 in fourth place, and well within range of the podium. 

Remind me: A year ago, nobody knew who Hopper was. But after winning the 2021 Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge in convincing fashion, snatching 300 pounds in the opening event, the CrossFit community made a mental note that there might be a new player on the scene. 

  • Hopper went on to place 19th at the Games in his rookie season, proving his MACC performance wasn’t a fluke.

The bottom line: Hopper emerged in 2021 and has now proved he wasn’t a one-hit-wonder, so it would be wise to keep an eye on him in 2022 and beyond. Mat Faser definitely thinks so. 

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