“You can lose sleep worrying or lose sleep working towards what you want.”- Heber Cannon
CROSSFIT GAMES
Torian Pro Preview: Games Picks, Last Chance Qualifier Spots, and Team Rundown
Semifinals are finally here, and in many ways, the very first one is also the most approachable in terms of what to expect.
The Pacific Region, now known as Oceania, has always been isolated when it comes to the competitive landscape. So far removed from the rest of the competition geographically, the top athletes from Australia and New Zealand have been congregating for an opportunity to get to the Games against each other year after year for a majority of their careers. As always, there are a few new names in the mix this year, but for the most part, as you’ll see, it’s a lot of the veterans who are most likely to make it through.
What’s at Stake?
Historically, or at least in the last few years of the Regional era (2015-2018), this part of the world was able to send five men and five women to the Games. This year,that number has been reduced to three. That number (three) is based on Open participation form last year; we published an article in February a couple months ago which demonstrates that from a competitive perspective, three is actually the appropriate number of placements the men in Oceania deserve based on performance, but for the women, they’ve proven that five is a more appropriate number of representatives at the Games on a global scale.
However, seeing as both Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr (travel restrictions) and Jamie Simmonds (injury) will not be at the Oceanic Semifinal this year, it actually works out, and three seems to be the perfect number for both the men and women this season.
“I tried Recovery Water for the first time during the CrossFit Open. I wasn’t expecting much because most recovery beverages taste awful – but this blew away my expectations!” said Natalie, an Ascent customer. “Drinking one of these a day is helping me meet my protein intake goal and stay hydrated.”
Athletes everywhere are obsessing over Recovery Water and its newest flavor.
The Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge announced yesterday that NOBULL is the official footwear provider for the event and all volunteer staff would receive a free pair of NOBULL trainers.
Noah Ohlsen had a procedure to remove a kidney stone yesterday and reported that it went well and the recovery would likely be quick.
Fun Fact: Haley Adams has not finished outside of the top ten in a competition since the 2019 Open.
The Arnold Classic returns in 2021. The event will take place in Columbus, OH on September 25. Tickets will go on sale on June 15.
The new Rogue | Reflex factory in Davenport, IA will be opening soon and will be hiring $25 per hour, minimum wage jobs.
CROSSFIT GAMES
How to Watch: The Torian Pro, Oceania’s Semifinal
In the first weekend of the new Semifinals format, a live broadcast, similar to the Pacific Regional coverage from 2015 through 2018 is on deck. Jeremy Austin and Pip Malone will be calling the action, while Kayla Banfield will be on the floor for event check-ins and athlete interviews.
Born Primitive Launches the “Modest Edit,” a Collection for Covered Athletes in the Middle East
Born Primitive Middle East has launched the Modest Edit, a curated collection of clothing that shows how women can wear the brand’s active and athleisure wear, while staying chic and modest.
How it started: In Islamic culture, hijab refers to a concept of modesty and privacy, often expressed through women’s clothing. Haya Alneama, owner of Born Primitive Middle East, a female-run branch of the apparel company, says women who choose to cover their heads, called hijabis, also need to cover their arms to their wrists and legs to their ankles.
While hijabis can wear more revealing pieces in what Alneama calls a “protected area,” like Alneama’s female-only affiliate, BMS – Wellness Functional Training. Outside of these spaces, they need to be covered. (Inside the gym, Alneama says her athletes wear booty shorts and sports bras.)
“We do have mixed gyms in the country – a lot of them,” Alneama says. “We do have outdoor activities that our people are getting more and more into; [the covered athletes] want to run on the beach, they want to ride bicycles, they want to go to parks and do yoga, and all of these activities, they need to be dressed modestly.”
Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson, Iceland’s Main Man Has One Goal for the 2021 CrossFit Games: Win It All
When he is driving the 30 minute route between Hveragerdi, where he lives, and Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson, known to CrossFit fans as ‘BKG’, has time to look back on his illustrious career.
“Sometimes I will have five or ten minutes to reflect,” said the 28-year-old. “But then it just always comes back to the fact that I haven’t reached my full potential and I haven’t reached my goal at this point.”
Gudmundsson is one of CrossFit’s most decorated athletes of the past decade. He’s come in third twice (2015 and 2019), fifth twice (2017 and 2018), and has finished in the top ten six times. He came in second in the CrossFit Open in 2019, fourth in 2017 and 2020, and eighth last year at the 2020 CrossFit Games, narrowly missing out on the final five.
Medeiros finished 3rd at the 2020 CrossFit Games as a rookie and was the breakout star of the season, coming from relative obscurity to capture a podium spot in his rookie campaign at the Games after earning his way through a win at the Filthy 150.
One big thing: Medeiros is considered one of a handful of star athletes expected to anchor the men’s competition at the Games long-term for the future in the “post-Mat Fraser era,” and the announcement comes three days before he takes the Semifinal floor at the Mid Atlantic CrossFit Challenge.
Fraser and Medeiros got a lengthy introduction during the Ranch Loop run where they ran side by side for a majority of the second lap, and following a 2020 Games where the smaller field allowed for more interaction between athletes it is a huge vote of confidence that Medeiros is the first chosen athlete for the Podium Nutrition brand.
Jeremy Osborne, Co-founder: “We’re focused on building an athlete-centric brand, working to develop products and flavors specifically around our athletes, which is why we’re excited to work with a tremendous young athlete like Justin that will be a force in the sport for years to come.”
The building block of muscles, and the architect for recovery, protein is a CrossFitters best friend. Check out this calculator and make sure you're getting enough to fuel your gains.
The Jeans for Athletes Made by Ex-Under Armour Execs
Revtown makes the ultimate jeans for athletes with fabric consisting of Italian milled denim infused with the same stuff used in football uniforms and yoga pants. And because they deal directly with the customer you can get your hands on these jeans for a killer price.
When snatching, are you focused on getting under the bar? Or getting the bar over you? If you're pulling the bar up before you start dropping down, you're losing a lot of power. Check out this explanation from Squat University and see how to work on pulling and dropping simultaneously to improve your snatch.
The 3-in-1 Row, Ski, Paddle Machine Backed by Rich Froning
Transform your garage, hotel room, or bedroom into a CrossFit training facility with Whipr, the world's first portable ERG training machine. Pre-order now to save up to 40% and use code "MCU5" for an additional 5% off.
Serratus Anterior is the large muscle behind your shoulder blade that plays a major factor in both pushing and pulling movements. But because of its hidden location, it gets sorely overlooked. Add these four exercises into your warm-up or accessory work and start building your boxer's muscle.
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