It is almost time people. Yes, we know, the Olympics are happening and will finish on the same day as the 2024 CrossFit Games, but still it is an exciting time for lovers of the Sport. And if you’ve been away from the bubble watching the Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade, or Lebron James’ of the Olympics and don’t know who to watch at the 2024 CrossFit Games this weekend, fear not – we got you covered.
Below, BOXROX have come up with 5 female and 5 male athletes for you to watch this weekend that should be big contenders for the podium. Let’s get to it, shall we?
10 Athletes to Watch at the 2024 CrossFit Games this Weekend
Women
Tia-Clair Toomey
Of course, of course it had to be her. What can we say, she is simply the GOAT of CrossFit. Not a single other individual athlete has won the CrossFit Games more times than her. So far, Tia-Clair Toomey has won the crown of Fittest on Earth 6 times and she’s hungry for number 7.
And this year she is back, as last year she couldn’t compete because of her pregnancy. And 2024 she will put her mom strength to the test, but by the looks of the season so far, she will be on the podium, and we would be very surprised if it wasn’t at the top – when things mattered, she finished 1st at the North America East Semifinals ahead of other great competitors such as Emma Lawson, Haley Adams and Danielle Brandon.
Laura Horvath
So who won when Tia-Clair Toomey wasn’t competing? Laura Horvath! She also beat Tia-Clair Toomey on the first competition Toomey came back, the Rogue Invitational last year – by only 10 points, but still won.
The 27-year-old Hungarian athlete has been on the podium the past three years and will continue her legacy this year, for sure. But will it be with another place on the podium? We think so. She also won the European Semifinals this year.
Gabriela Migala
Whenever someone talks about Laura Horvath, Gabriela Migala’s name comes up as well. Yes, they are friends outside of the gym – in fact, Migala is the girlfriend of Horvath’s brother – but they also train together every once in a while and this is the sort of competition that pushes Migala to nearly get to the podium in the past three years – last year she finished 4th, her best placement yet.
Will it be enough for her to be on the podium this year? There are amazing talent out there, but with only 25 years on her shoulders, she is sure getting stronger and fitter with each passing day and 2024 could be her breakthrough.
Alexis Raptis
Another athlete with only 25 years old and getting better and more accustomed to the spotlight is Alexis Raptis. This American athlete has been to the Games only two times as an elite individual, but and got better each time.
Back in 2022, she finished 10th on her debut, and the year after she finished 6th. As a teen, she did compete at the Games as well, and got a silver medal when she was only 17 years old.
Emma Lawson
But clearly the youngest athlete that could potentially take over the podium is Emma Lawson. The Canadian powerhouse is only 19years old and has already been on the podium last year, right behind Laura Horvath.
For some events in 2023, she wore the leader jersey and seemed poised to take home the crown, but a series of less-than-fortunate placements at the later stage of the competition pushed her back.
BOXROX is quite certain this time her mental game is sharper and should be among the top contenders for silverware at the 2024 CrossFit Games.
Men
Roman Khrennikov
Roman Khrennikov could have made a big statement last year if he didn’t injured his foot which took him out for the last two events. Still, with an injured foot and unable to finish events, he still came out 2nd overall.
The Russian legend has fire in his eyes and already had a winner’s attitude last year which surely only got better and stronger this time around. We wouldn’t be surprised if he won the 2024 CrossFit Games this time.
Jeff Adler
He is the current Fittest Man on Earth and is looking to solidify his name in the history books. Some people argue that Khrennikov could have won last year if he didn’t injured his foot, but few remember that Jeff Adler was already ahead of Khrennikov on the leaderboard before the foot injury occurred.
Nevertheless, both athletes have another chance to put action into words and prove who is hungrier, and fitter, to take home the crown. Is it going to be Adler or Khrennikov? Well, there are many other names to throw in the conversation, but these two are sure going to give a show for spectators.
Ricky Garard
Ricky Garard was once a name that carried shame as he was found guilty of doping when he finished 3rd at the CrossFit Games back in 2017. He paid his dues and got around to compete again in 2022 and boy did he deliver by finishing 3rd next to Justin Medeiros and Khrennikov.
Sadly, he injured himself in 2023 and couldn’t compete, so who knows how he’s going to perform this time around – he did win the Oceania Semifinal.
Pat Vellner
Is this, finally, going to be Pat Vellner’s year? The Canadian elite athlete has been to every CrossFit Games edition since 2016, but has never cracked the top position. He finished 2nd on 3 occasions (2023, 2021 and 2018) and 3rd twice (2016 and 2017).
As he fluctuated up and down the leaderboard throughout his career, the nicest red-haired athlete from Canada said previously he doesn’t have many more years in him to compete with the younger ones – Vellner is 34 years old and, technically from next year on, he is a master athlete.
Brent Fikowski
Another Canadian that could make a splash this year is Brent Fikowski. A year younger than Vellner, Fikowski has also been to every iteration of the CrossFit Games since 2016.
It seems that every year Fikowski begins with a bad string of events, only to push the turbo mode and get close to the podium. His best placement to date is 2nd back in 2017, on his sophomore year. Ever since, he managed to get a bronze medal in 2021 and finished 4th on 3 occasions.
Who are you rooting for?
Check out the full list of athletes and teams invited to compete at the 2024 CrossFit Games here.
image sources
- rogue-invitational-prize-purse: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
- Brent Fikowski: Photo Courtesy of CrossFit Inc
