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CrossFit Open Announcement 22.2 Match-Ups Feature Young Guns and the Future of the Sport

February 27, 2022 by
Photo Credit: Instagram @crossfitgames
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The 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games are in full swing and this week the 22.2 live announcement will feature some of the sport’s most exciting young athletes, including two multiple-podium finishers.

Who are we talking about?: The 2021 Fittest Man on Earth, Justin Medeiros will take on Saxon Panchik, who recently finished eighth at Wodapalooza, one spot behind his brother Spencer, and one spot ahead of his brother Scott. On the women’s side, two-time Second Fittest Woman on Earth, Laura Horvath will take on Emma Lawson, the 17-year-old Canadian phenom and 2021 Fittest Teen. 

One big thing: The average age of these four athletes is 22. Panchik and Horvath are the elders at 25 and 24, while Medieros won his first Games last year at 22 years old and Lawson at 17. While there are already four podium finishes between Horvath and Medieros, these athletes are a glimpse into the future of elite CrossFit, both in terms of their own personal achievements and the routes they’ve taken to earn them.

What they’re saying: As soon as CrossFit announced the line-up, the athletes took to Instagram with their thoughts:

  • Emma Lawson – “Well this is pretty cool! So excited to be a part of 22.2🤩”
  • Saxon Panchik – “Excited to be taking on my 9th @crossfitgames season and the opportunity to be one of the first to do 22.2! It should be fun……. and maybe heavy 🤷🏻‍♂️.”

Worth noting: Medeiros turns 23 years old on March 3, so the 22.2 announcement will be a birthday celebration for him.

How to watch: Tune in to the CrossFit Games website for the live 22.2 announcement on Thursday, March 3 at 12 PM PT. 

  • And as always, the Morning Chalk Up will provide workout strategy guides and full leaderboard coverage and analysis.

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