2023 CrossFit Semifinal Preview: Copa Sur
Week two of Semifinals is here and soon we get to see South America’s top athletes competing for a chance to punch their tickets to Madison.
Remind me: South America only had 1 qualifying spot for the CrossFit Games in the old Regional era. With the new Strength of Field equation implemented this year, 2 men, 2 women, and 2 teams will get a ticket to compete at the higher level.
Copa Sur will be holding this year’s Semifinal at the Arena Carioca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A live broadcast will be available here.
Let’s take a look at some notable athletes from the Latin American community competing this week:
Men
- Guilherme Malheiros –The Brazilian wonder boy returns to defend his title at Copa Sur and secure his fifth trip to the CrossFit Games. With one of the heaviest snatches in the field, we can’t wait to see him in event 4.
- Agustín Richelme – This Argentinian is no stranger to elite competition. After placing 2nd place in 2022 Semifinals, Richelme earned his trip to Madison vía the Last Chance Qualifier. This year he’s going head to head again with Malheiros in a battle worth watching.
- Pablo Chalfun – You’ll remember Chalfun from an epic finish in the 2018 Regionals against Luis Oscar Mora, battling for the (then) single spot for the Games. After a hiatus from competing, Chalfun comes back placing in 10th place in the region.
- Lucas Da Rosa – Da Rosa earned his trip to the Games in 2021 with Team Dubai, where he placed 2nd. After finishing just outside of the podium last year at Copa Sur, he’s returning with the sole intention of getting an individual place at Madison.
Women
- Sasha Nievas – Nievas took 21st place in the 2022 Open. Last year, she placed 5th in the team division alongside CrossFit Mayhem; but this year the story is different, as she looks to return to individual competition for the second time.
- Julia Kato – Another athlete returning to Copa Sur this year, Kato will be competing for her second Games appearance, after placing 27th last year.
- Victoria Campos – The current reigning champion of Copa Sur comes back stronger, after placing 1st place in the Individual Quarterfinals.
- Luiza Marquez – The 21-year-old has climbed her way into the individual division. Marques competed from 2016 to 2018 in the Teen Division, and then moved into the Team Division alongside Team Dubai in 2021. After placing 4th last year at Copa Sur, she’s looking to make her rookie debut in the big girls division.
Teams
- Sense Fitness CrossFit Mayhem Soul – Last year, the Mayhem team from Latin America was penalized during the Open and prevented from competing as an affiliate. With two of the strongest athletes in the region in their roster, Santiago Comba and Mel Rodriguez, this year they seek redemption and a ticket to Madison.
Q21 CrossFit – Another team with a similar story, Q21 was Disqualified last year after one team member failed a drug test at last year’s Semifinals. With a renewed roster, the Argentinian affiliate qualified two teams for Copa Sur.
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