Ten Big Things From the Final Day at the 2023 CrossFit Games
The 2023 CrossFit Games have come to a close, with a dramatic final day full of leaderboard jockeying and dramatic finishes. The field was cut to the final 20 athletes in both divisions and the three tests completed were Test 10: Muscle Up Logs, Test 11: Parallel Bar Pull, and Test 12: Echo Thruster Final.
As with every year, spectators have witnessed grit, determination, perseverance through pain, tears and joy. On the final day, here were ten big things of note:
- After Jeffery Adler’s Test 10 win with a time of 7:28, he took the points lead overall and became the new leader. With refreshing honesty, in an interview afterwards he mentioned how he needed as many finishers in between him and Roman Khrennikov as possible. “I need help,” said Adler, “Roman’s too fit.”
- One of 2023’s young guns, Alex Gazan, continued to shine on the final day, with a 2nd place finish on Test 10, and a 3rd place finish on Test 11. She ultimately earned the “Most Improved” award.
- Elisa Fuliano, Arielle Loewen and Alexis Raptis used their heads to gut their way through Test 10, as they were seen resting the sandbags on their heads to help heave them over the logs.
- In what could be the greatest, most emotional moment in CrossFit history, Roman Khrennikov completed Test 11 with a broken foot and torn ligaments, amidst a roaring crowd and standing ovation. “I can do things on one leg, and I’ll continue doing them on one leg. Everything for you guys,” said Khrennikov.
- Dispelling worries of a withdrawal, after completing only the minimum work requirement on Test 9, Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson showed up on day four, seemingly healthy, snagging a 4th place finish on Test 11.
- After a 40th place finish on Test 1 and a 39th place finish on Test 4, Emma Cary battled her way back into the top ten heading into Test 12, finishing 8th overall, which is eight places higher than her finish last year.
- Jelle Hoste was the only rookie, amongst both men and women, to finish within the top ten.
- Olivia Kerstetter won Test 12 with an impressively quick unbroken overhead walking lunge. “I’ve proven that I belong,” replied the rookie after her finish of 7:22. “We’re just getting started,” said Kerstetter.
- Laura Horvath, 2023’s Fittest Woman on Earth, gave a touching speech, directed at all the young people looking to her as a role model in the sport and in life. “I’m so happy that me and my body can do this…and I want to look like I look…our bodies are what they are inside… and it’s amazing what our bodies can do.”
In Fittest Man on Earth Jeffery Adler’s speech, he attributed his success to his fiance and coach Caroline Lambray. “She’s the reason I’m here. Today, her dream came true.”
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