Brazilian Miguel Buzza Roo Goes All-In on CrossFit
Brazilian Miguel Buzza Roo may only be 17-years-old, but he’s already got a CrossFit Games appearance and a major life change – moving to the United States for his athletic career – under his belt.
After receiving an invitation to the 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games in the 16-17 boys division, Buzza Roo and his mother Deb packed their bags at their home outside of Sāo Paulo and traveled to America. In Madison, Buzza Roo placed 13th and grabbed two top-ten finishes, including a fourth place finish in Event 7, a long gymnastics chipper.
Buzza Roo’s aptitude for gymnastics events comes in part from his background in circus training, which he took part in before starting CrossFit in 2015. Buzza Roo said he spent his days doing acrobatics and aerial silk activities, and then his father found CrossFit through a phone advertisement.
Buzza Roo’s older sister, Isabella Buzza Roo, got into the competitive CrossFit world before him and as younger siblings often do, he followed in her footsteps.
- “When I started, (my motivation) was my sister. I just wanted to be an athlete like her, I thought it was so cool,” Buzza Roo said. Over time, though, after six years of CrossFit, Buzza Roo’s motivations have changed. “But now it’s my passion, it’s what I’m good at, I like it.”
After the Games in August, Buzza Roo and his mother stayed in the US near the Pit Fitness Ranch in Three Rivers, Michigan. He competed with and became friends with local athlete Azariah Price and his family, and the pair ended up moving into a house the Price family owns. Buzza Roo stayed through the Pit Elite Teen Throwdown in September before heading back home to Brazil. However, he didn’t stay away for long, and returned to Michigan this past December.
- On his experience leaving his family in Brazil, Buzza Roo said, “people told me it would be harder. It’s hard, it’s not easy of course. I miss speaking Portuguese with my friends, with my mom every day, but it’s fine, it’s fun.”
Buzza Roo said he’s been waiting to leave Brazil since he was young, so when the opportunity came up he jumped at the chance and everything has worked out so far.
- “It’s been a great (experience). The biggest difference has been the winter, a lot of snow.”
Despite the challenges, Buzza Roo has found his place in Michigan and within the competitive CrossFit landscape. He’s still got one year left in the teen division, and is looking for a podium finish in Madison this summer. More imminently, he’s aiming for the same spot at Wodapalooza this weekend, and after Day One, he sits in 12th in his division.
- Buzza Roo: “I feel really, what’s the word, lifted? I’ve put in a lot of hard work, and I think it’s really paid off.”
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