The Males’s aspect of the Video games is about to be a spectacle.
Because the age-old saying goes, heavy is the pinnacle that wears the crown. On this case, it’s in reference to Justin Medeiros, the two-time reigning Men’s Individual CrossFit Games champion. Within the occasion Medeiros does safe a 3rd straight title in Madison, WI, on August 1-6, 2023, he may have made historical past, changing into solely the third-ever Particular person competitor to triumph on a minimum of three events. Nevertheless, like all nice kings, Medeiros shouldn’t be with out his aggressive threats.
With the 2023 CrossFit Games inching ever nearer, right here’s a breakdown of Medeiros and 4 different potential Males’s contenders’ possibilities. At nonetheless simply 24 years outdated, Medeiros would seemingly solely be in the beginning of a dominant prolonged reign atop the CrossFit kingdom, becoming a member of the likes of four-time champion (2011-2014) Rich Froning Jr. and five-time Video games winner (2016-2020) Mat Fraser. That’s, except any of those athletes have one thing to say about it.
Potential 2023 CrossFit Video games Males’s Particular person Contenders
It will possible be a shock to many within the CrossFit neighborhood if Medeiros fell in need of an iconic “three-peat.” That’s not even unpacking the potential of a brand new Males’s champion for the primary time since 2020. On this occasion, each the Males and Girls — who will probably be searching for a new CrossFit Individual queen within the absence of Tia-Clair Toomey — may have a brand new champion quickly sufficient.
Right here’s a brief profile of CrossFit’s arguably largest energetic star and 4 different Males’s Particular person contenders in Madison.
Justin Medeiros (United States)
Finest end: Males’s Particular person Champion (2021-2022)
Video games debut: 2020
Medeiros wasted no time bursting onto the scene as a vivid 21-year-old throughout his debut within the 2020 CrossFit Video games. The athlete earned a podium end result, ending simply behind Samuel Kwant (second place) and the legendary Mat Fraser on the finish of his CrossFit Video games run. With Fraser and a definitive challenger out of the image the next 12 months in 2021, Medeiros stormed his strategy to his first Video games title, trying destined for greatness within the course of. Such a prognostication ended up coming true.
Medeiros will probably be powerful to beat for anybody within the Males’s area. It might take a catastrophic end in one of many occasions and/or the champion being totally off his recreation to fall in need of one other resounding victory.
Jeffrey Adler (Canada)
Finest end: Fifth place (2020, 2022)
Video games debut: 2019
Adler is probably one of the more notable contenders on the Males’s aspect of the Video games bracket. After a top-five end in 2022 — his second in three years — it’s obvious the Canadian dynamo is establishing a constant rhythm and luxury that serves him effectively in a tense, chaotic setting just like the Video games.
Adler not too long ago gained the Males’s 2023 North America East Semifinal. If he can switch over such a efficiency to Madison, he appears primed to make a reliable run for the grand prize.
Lazar Đukić (Serbia)
Finest end: Eighth place (2022)
Video games debut: 2021
To some, Đukić may have the looks of a “darkish horse” — somebody who isn’t an apparent contender however could ship a shock upset for putting close to the highest. That line of pondering can be a mistake as a result of, when all is claimed and completed, consistency can win out within the endurance grind of the Video games.
Đukić is coming off a victory within the Men’s Europe Semifinal and completed in twelfth place worldwide in the course of the Quarterfinal. It will not be a stretch to see this Serbian competitor making a reliable leap towards the highest of CrossFit.
Roman Khrennikov (United States)
Finest end: Runner-up (2022)
Video games debut: 2020
It’s simple to overlook now, however Khrennikov truly already nearly beat Medeiros in a CrossFit Video games setting. In 2022, the man American athlete fell simply 27 factors in need of overcoming Medeiros and incomes the vaunted title. The essential factor to recollect is that whereas some might need forgotten how shut Khrennikov got here to glory, the athlete assuredly didn’t repress the reminiscence of besting Medeiros in 9 of the 18 exercises in the course of the 2022 Video games.
Khrennikov hasn’t been on the absolute prime of his recreation recently — he completed in simply fourth place in the course of the North America East Semifinal and was solely in nineteenth worldwide in the course of the Quarterfinal — however which may not matter on the Video games. The athlete has proven he has the capability to rise to the event and carry out in an enormous second.
Patrick Vellner (Canada)
Finest end: Runner-up (2018, 2021)
Video games debut: 2016
A seasoned veteran, Vellner is coming into his ninth CrossFit Video games (together with an look on the 2015 Video games within the Groups division). Such a observe document highlights Vellner as a mannequin of dependability. At age 33, he’s undoubtedly one of many older athletes within the Males’s Particular person competitors, because the Age Group division begins at 35, however that shouldn’t diminish his potential for a win. If something, such prolonged expertise may give Vellner a decisive edge over his friends.
It’s been two years since Vellner fell simply in need of Medeiros himself in the course of the 2021 Video games. This was after Vellner was runner-up to Mat Fraser in 2018. After shining within the North America West Semifinal, Vellner might be one other athlete searching for a well-earned redemption. That one shining second nearly a decade into his elite CrossFit profession is perhaps across the nook.
Medeiros appears well-positioned to make one other worthy addition to his trophy case. The Video games, nonetheless, may be something however predictable. It wouldn’t be a shock to see one among these opponents give him an actual run for his cash.
Featured picture: @justinmedeiros34 on Instagram
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