Masters Champ Chicho Quesada Reflects on PEDs, Podium Finishes, and the Power of “Pura Vida”
In late October 2024, two months after the Age Group CrossFit Games concluded, an update was made to the leaderboard.
Due to drug sanctions, Jonathan Edel was stripped of his first-place position in the men’s 40-44 age group, and the rightful winner took over the top spot.
- Costa Rica’s Chicho Quesada had become a Masters CrossFit Games Champion.
Quesada first learned about it, like everyone else, when he saw the update to the leaderboard and the news of the positive drug test.
- More on CrossFit’s drug policy here.
Chicho’s Pura Vida
Almost three months later, he received an email from CrossFit, congratulating him on his victory and updating him on the prize purse. They also mentioned he would receive his first-place medal in the mail and asked for his second-place medal back.
When asked if he felt that his chance to stand on the top of the podium had been taken from him, he responded with an optimistic view of the situation.
- “I got to celebrate twice,” Quesada told Morning Chalk Up.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Quesada, this answer won’t surprise you. He has a rare talent for turning negativity into something uplifting. His energy is contagious, and positivity tends to follow him wherever he goes.
Many people expressed concerns during the event that athletes were competing while using PEDs. Some told Quesada that he should be winning.
- “At the moment, I was not thinking about that. I just wanted to perform. Whatever anyone else was doing was out of my control,” Quesada said. “I was talking with [Edel] a lot, because we were competing next to each other. He was a nice guy.”
Edel sent Quesada a personal message later to apologize and congratulate him on his championship. Chicho harbors no hard feelings or resentment.
That positive outlook on life requires effort, even if it comes more naturally to some. That’s why Chicho launched his mindset training program, called PerfectaMente. It’s not just a clever name; it is a complete program that trains the mind to be strong and resilient.
Quesada embodies the “pura vida” spirit deeply rooted in Costa Rican culture and credits his success to this mindset. You can follow him on YouTube and Instagram.
PEDs at the 2024 Masters CrossFit Games
Jonathan Edel was not the only athlete to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs at the 2024 Masters Games.
Two podium finishers in the 50-54 age group, including Shawn Ramirez, who previously served a four-year ban from 2019 to 2022, were disqualified.
Former two-time champ in the 40-44 division, Rudy Berger, faced a similar situation to Pat Vellner in 2017 when his opportunity to stand on the podium in third place was taken from him. Berger placed fourth in 2024, then officially moved to third after Edel’s disqualification was enforced.
Christiano Domasceno was stripped of his fourth-place finish in the 45-49 division.
- No women tested positive in 2024.
- All four positive drug tests were men between the ages of 40 and 54.
Moving Forward
Since becoming a champion, Quesada hasn’t taken much time off. Instead, he competed in the Legends Championship last December, where he topped the podium once again.
- In January, he traveled to Miami Beach, FL, where he took third place in the 40-44 division at TYR Wodapalooza.
So far this season, at the age of 43, he placed 24th in the Open and fourth in the In-Affiliate Semifinals, securing his Games ticket for the third consecutive year.
The Bottom Line
Quesada is returning to the Masters CrossFit Games, happening this weekend in Columbus, OH.
- He aims to defend his title with hopes of actually standing on the top of the podium this time.
One thing is certain—no matter what happens, Chicho Quesada will be happy. And he will spread the “pura vida” throughout the entire competition.
Featured image: Herculus Media, @herculusmedia / Instagram
