Emma Ferreira (132) | Kevin Schuetz – (110) | Koda CrossFit (157)
Schedule adjustment: The Granite Games start time today has been modified to 4 PM CT. The weather conditions are set to be severe, with a high nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This update will ensure that the environment is safe.
Here are a few more speed reads:
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CROSSFIT GAMES
Granite Games Day One Recap: Big Lifts and Olympic Lifting Records Steal the Show Under Friday Night Lights
With the absence of community divisions, and scorching temperatures, the opening events for Granite Games took place Friday evening beginning in the late afternoon and extending into the night. Men and Women competed in two events, while teams also took the floor twice, but would accumulate four separately scored events for a total of 300 points.
Women’s Clean and Jerk and Men’s Snatch Live Competition Records Fall
First it was Ocean State’s Finest Christine Middleton with a 265 lb clean and jerk breaking the women’s record (previously held by Amanda Barnahrt at 257 lbs) as part of team event one. This was part of an overall consistent performance on day one for their entire team who find themselves in second place.
Next up were the individuals for the one rep max snatch. All eyes were on Anthony Davis in the first heat of men’s competition. Having hit 330 just last month, many were speculating that Tola Morakinyo’s record of 337 lbs was in jeopardy. Davis needed two attempts at 295, and then two attempts at 315, but he eventually hit them both. When he loaded 340 on the bar you could sense the antitnicaption in the air. In what was his best snatch of the event, he calmly received it and stood it up knowing full well he had just broken the record.
Day one of the Fittest in Cape Town came to an end with very little surprises as two Games veterans on the individual side and one team put on dominating performances as they competed to earn their respective divisions lone 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games Invitations inside Woodmill Lifestyle Market in Stellenbosch, South Africa on Friday.
The women’s division:
After day one it looks to be a three woman race for the lone Games invitation with a former Games veteran and national champion leading the way. Dina Swift swept the day’s events pretty handlely. She took Event 1, “3-2-1-Go”, crossing the finish line in 22:04, nearly a minute ahead of her closest competitor.
Swift would then make it 2-for-2 as the 2019 Games qualifier won Event 2, “Friday Night Lights”, hitting her final snatch of 165 lbs/75 kg with 3:21 on the clock.
Michelle Basnett sits in second, just 16 points behind Swift, thanks to a fourth place finish in Event 1 and a runner-up finish in Event 2.
Just four points behind Basnett is Tanha Bouffe in third. She placed third in Event 1 and fourth in Event 2.
38-year old Mary Jamieson is in fourth with 168 points.
Breaking: CrossFit Announces 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games Return to CBS Sports
CrossFit LLC announced the return of live coverage of the 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games on CBS Sports today.
One big thing: The return of the Games being broadcasted on CBS shows increased efforts and illustrates the value being placed on the Games. After several years of a downward trend and lack of emphasis on the Games under CrossFit’s previous CEO, the Roza era looks promising for the growth of the sport.
The details so far: Live coverage on CBS Sports will take place on Sunday, August 1, 2021.
The broadcast will include two hours of live coverage of the individual finals from 2-4 PM ET.
There will be an additional six hours of highlights that will be aired throughout the competition week.
Why it matters: Having a major television broadcast partner like CBS Sports helps build momentum and legitimacy in the sport. New owner and CEO, Eric Roza, emphasized his efforts to place more emphasis on the CrossFit Games when CBS Sports returned to the Games in Aromas, CA last year. The broadcast company’s return this year, is further proof that Roza values CrossFit as a competitive sport.
The bottom line: The return of CBS Sports at the 2020 Games brought in an additional 31% viewership. Having the live broadcast back for yet another year will only help boost ratings as the sport continues to grow into mainstream media.
CROSSFIT GAMES
This Week in CrossFit
Did the week get ahead of you and you’re looking to catch up on the top trending stories in CrossFit and the fitness industry? You’ve come to the right place. Each week we will wrap up the major news and stories people are talking about inside the box.
The first group of athletes punched their tickets to the 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games. With two Semifinals down and eight to go, we take a deep dive into what’s on tap for this weekend at the Granite Games and The Fittest in Cape Town and recap what went down on the competition floor last weekend. Grab your popcorn for July 27 because the official trailer of Resurgence is going to have you hooked!
Games Bound Athletes:
The Torian Pro
1. Royce Dunne (549) | Kara Saunders (660) | 64 Gold Army (630)
2. Jay Crouch (548) | Laura Clifton (564) | Urban CrossFit (630)
3. Bayden Brown(538) | Ellie Turner (532) | Awaside (565)
There is no rest for the weary — not that I was weary anyways — because week two of the Semifinals is off and running.
I will keep this short and sweet, because the message is simple. If you’re at home watching the Semifinals this year, please consider attending one in person to show your support of the sport.
For the second weekend in a row I am on location for an event and for the second weekend in a row I am encouraged by the organization, venue setup, and overall experience of being onsite to witness the tremendous performances on the field of play.
Fifteen Months Later: There’s Light at the End of the Pandemic Tunnel, Gym Owners Say
While the overarching message in the last 15 months has consistently been how devastating the pandemic has been for gym owners, many American-based CrossFit affiliates, and functional fitness gyms, are reporting having had their best year yet, thanks to an uptick in new members in recent weeks.
What they’re saying: We quickly found 22 gyms who offer more group classes now than before the pandemic — not because they’re hosting smaller classes due to COVID — but to accommodate their increased clientele.
“Our numbers have almost doubled since pre-COVID,” said Maria Vasquez McManus, the owner of CrossFit Glynco in Brunswick, GA. As a result, she has switched her foundations program for new members away from one-on-one training to small group OnRamps in order to accommodate them all, has added five group classes to her schedule, and is about to add two more.
“The growth in membership was what created the need for more classes. We have doubled our membership since reopening,” offered Chris Williams, the owner of Altamont Performance Lab in Tracy, CA. He has added 13 classes since before the pandemic, his revenue is up 25 percent, and he’s getting ready to raise his rates on June 15.
Why Changing to a Split Jerk could Add Pounds to your Lift
When trying to get the most weight possible overhead, the split jerk is the way to go. Check out this video to see how the split jerk makes it easier to control the weight overhead while maintaining form and remaining stable.
O2 is offering you the chance to win Golden Ticket prizes from YETI, GORUCK, and RPM. The Grand Prize? A pair of VIP tickets to the Games in Madison this summer. Simply pick up some delicious O2 hydration this weekend to enter.
Lower back pain when lifting? Try these loading tests from Squat University to see if you can isolate the problem and learn which specific movements cause it to better understand and fix your pain.
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Chalk Up Highlights is our section dedicated to celebrating our community’s wins in the gym. Follow @ChalkUpHighlights and submit your highlight to tips@morningchalkup.com to be featured.
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