BOXROX has previously written about 23 elite athletes who have gone to the Semifinals and shockingly did not make the cutline to the CrossFit Games. We now have gathered information from them to explain the real reason these elite athletes didn’t make it to the CrossFit Games.
Note: we are not going through every single athlete mentioned in the previous report, but most of them gave explanations as to perhaps the reason they came up short to live up to the expectations.
Table of Contents
The Real Reason These Elite Athletes Didn’t Make it to The CrossFit Games
Jonne Koski
The athlete from Finland won the Open and the Quarterfinals and everyone though there was a good chance he would sweep the floor during Semifinals as well. But he finished 13th, two places behind the cut line to the Games.
“Hard to find words to describe how I feel, disappointed is an understatement. I came into this weekend with a lot of confidence after having the best possible start for the season under my belt and the best training year (in my whole career), thanks to @jamitikkanen & @thetrainingplan”
”However I just couldn’t deliver on game day when it mattered the most. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t feel like myself at all and was struggling way off the paces I had practiced just a week ago.”
I don’t want to make any excuses, the European field is so competetive and every athlete ahead of me 100% deserves a spot at the games. It was by far the best field I’ve ever competed against in Europe and there’s just no room for this many f*ck ups at this level. Big Kudos to everyone who qualified, I can’t wait to watch you smash it in Texas! 🔥
No matter the outcome I’m proud that I kept fighting for it till the end and gave it everything I had. It was hard to pick myself up after each event as the qualifying spot just kept getting further away but I’m happy I managed to get couple solid performaces for the last day and finish the competition on a high note. It’s never over untill it’s over.
This might be the end of a season but definately not the end of a story. I’ll take this defeat and use it as a fuel for next year and the next competitions. I’ll be back, you can count on it! 🔥
Amanda Barnhart
Amanda Barnhart was another elite athlete that shocked everyone for not making it to the Games since she has made it to the Finals every time since 2018.
According to an Instagram post, she fell behind on her training due to a shoulder injury.
In January – I was still so far behind in training because of my shoulder injury. Going into quarterfinals – I genuinely thought I might not even make semifinals. Battling this shoulder since August has been a lot harder than I thought it would be. This weekend was the BEST my shoulder has felt since the initial injury but I just didn’t have enough time to train all the things I needed to the last few months. Like snatching lol 😆
Injury aside – life has just been stressful. We have changed everything and become parents. Being a parent is hard and being a parent in these circumstances is really freaking hard. Those of you who have been apart of foster care or custody cases understand what I mean. It’s heartbreak, stress, and so much love packed into every single moment.
My body has been in fight or flight for far too long. I’ve felt “sick” for weeks and haven’t been able to eat normally. Last week I developed a really gross infection in my armpit and have been on antibiotics all week🙄
I share all this not to complain or make excuses because EVERYONE has stuff going on and at the end of the day – I just wasn’t good enough this weekend.
But I share it to remind you all – we are all human. We can’t show up ALL THE TIME. And sometimes we all need to take a step away. As an athlete – taking that step away is the hardest decision in the world. I feel like I haven’t been able to catch a break in so long that maybe this is just the break I needed.
Thanks for all the love. 🫶🏼 AB #allhart
Will Moorad
Will Moorad was another athlete who had to overcome an injury – not that he had one before going to the events, but one he sustained during workout 2 and had to withdraw.
Man we were off to a hot start! If only my hip could’ve lasted more than 1 event the boys would’ve been in trouble! Hah
In all seriousness, having to withdraw after picking up an injury during event 2 is a massive disappointment. Missing out on the opportunity to compete with the best in the world @crossfitgames again stings. But life goes on, my injury will heal and I’ll be back to racing the best. For now, it’s time to heal up and make some fresh goals. Thanks to everyone for the support and good luck to everyone competing this year
Thuridur Helgadottir
Icelandic sensation Thuridur Helgadottir said she has been battling “health setbacks” not only at the wrong times, but very frequently.
These last two years have been challenging. I’ve been getting unwell not only at the wrong times but also too frequently. While I’ve faced some health setbacks, I see them as opportunities to make positive changes for a stronger future.
I am not suggesting that being unwell was the only obstacle; the competition is incredibly tough, and Europe is SO strong. 💪🏼 I’m honored to compete in such a strong region and am constantly amazed by the performances from this field. Achieving a top 10 spot is hard, and every single girl truly earned her place at the Games.
I am SO thankful to those who stand by me:
@andrehoudet @noshortcuts_training for my program, training camps, and taking me on his team of athletes that I can look up to.
@jonkristjan93 for helping me in every way he possibly can, wearing many different hats for each task ahead. @hildurksveinsdottir my physio and friend, for keeping my body healthy since 2011.
@bjarndishf the best sports masseuse out there and a dear friend.
@mattikiro for aligning my spine these last few weeks. Nothing is more satisfying than a good crack! 😅
@lucileph , my agent, for all the help and the braids.
@gudrunsolveig my mom, for being my number one fan from day one and watching my baby Moli while I competed.
Moli for the unconditional love and cuddles.
Colten Mertens
Colten Mertens deserved to be at the Games. He said it himself, and many people online are sad that they won’t see that friendly moustache. And the reason he didn’t make it to the Games? No injury, no health problems. Just him not performing as well as he could have.
Well… that sucked
I know I deserve to be at the Games, but I didn’t EARN it this weekend.
I’m head and shoulders fitter than I was last season thanks to the team at @prvnfitness coach @joey_toto and my nutritionist at @targetnutrition
Running is typically a poor event for me, we were top 5 this weekend. Snatch is my weakest lift, we won that this weekend. Major progress on other weak areas but it wasn’t enough this time.
The final event had movements I typically fall behind in. I know from testing that I could have had another top 5 in that event but I didn’t execute on the day.
The 30 cal bike felt amazing, came off right on pace. Was confident I would hit the muscle ups unbroken like I did in training several times. But I committed a handful of no reps. I think this was the first time I’ve ever been no repped on a muscle up. It cost me a good chunk of time in a short event and added enough grip fatigue that a dumbbell fell from my hand on the last couple lunges.
Knowing I’m the fittest I’ve ever been and that my season is over sucks. This year, some of the most important things in my life have been taken from me. It kind of feels like everything is falling apart. But I have a feeling… they’re actually falling directly into place.
I’ve had a lot of good moments so far in this sport. But I don’t think I’ve ever said this. God is good. Even when life isn’t. I trust His plan. Even though it doesn’t line up with mine.
Now… it’s time to grind for the next 12 months. And come back with a vengeance next year.
Down… but never out
Olivia Kerstetter
The 18-year-old CrossFit athlete was perhaps a victim of the new system implemented by CrossFit that dictates how many qualifying spots each Semifinal has. Her Semifinal had only 8 spots and after 3 events, she was in 23rd overall. But three events later, and the final weekend came, and she finished 9th, almost there.
“failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of success” someone once said. unfortunately in sports the difference between success and failure is a very thin line, and no matter how prepared you are sometimes things just don’t go as planned. although this weekend is labeled as a failure for me, i am determined to turn it into something better. i’m taking this “setback” as an opportunity, an opportunity to grow and to improve. now i have a whole YEAR to continue to work and fill the holes that have been needing filled for a while now so that this never happens again.
i knew going into this weekend that the first 3 events wouldn’t be the best for me and that i would have to fight back on the last 3 events, but i definitely didn’t expect to be in such a big hole going into the final 3 events. after being in 23rd place going into the final day of competition i could’ve given up, i could’ve just let myself be upset and said “i’ll just try again next year,” but instead i decided to fight and give it my all, which ended up getting me up to 9th place and ultimately 14 points out of a qualifying spot to the crossfit games. although i know that i made some mistakes and i could’ve done better on the first 2 days of competition, i’m not going to make excuses for myself, instead i am going to turn those mistakes into lessons and improve from them. i am proud that i decided to stay in it and fight back despite how impossible it seemed on saturday night.
it is a tough pill to swallow that i will not be competing at the crossfit games this year and i would be lying if i said i didn’t feel a little lost and unsure about what i will do without the games training structure that i have grown used to, but i cannot wait to see all the good that comes from this because i know God has a bigger plan for me & all of this will work out for the best, despite how it feels right now.
i am proud of my efforts last weekend and how i responded and carried myself through the tough times. as a little girl growing up watching crossfit, my favorite athletes weren’t always the ones winning, but the ones who carried themselves with a smile on their face, especially during adversity. these hard times are when i grow the most and as hard as it is to accept right now, i cannot wait to embrace this and learn from it.
I am disappointed, but not done. because if there is one thing this weekend has taught me it’s that i have the toughness and fight to make this the best thing that has ever happened to me, use it as fuel, and come back better because of it. & this is just the beginning of my journey, so stay tuned for the comeback 🫶🏼
Ant Haynes
Another athlete who had to withdraw during the Semifinals was Ant Haynes. He injured his elbow and forearm during a heavy lift. According to him, his “elbow just gave away” and “it felt like a bit of a tearing sensation.”
Days later, he found out he had a full rupture of his UCL and common flexor tendor with some possible damage to his ulnar nerve.
My elbow decided to have a day off 10 days ago. Since then, swelling has reduced enough last Thursday for me to get an MRI on my right elbow.
Got the results on Monday, saw a surgeon on Tuesday, here I am about to go under the knife on Wednesday.
Full rupture of my UCL and common flexor tendon, with some possible damage to my ulnar nerve.
Not ideal, and I’d much rather be prepping for the @crossfitgames , but here we are.
Nothing like another small bump in the road to make this journey a little more interesting.
With challenge, comes growth… and I know I have the best team around me to help navigate this challenge and grow through it.
See you on the other side!
Ps… what’s the longest anyone has managed to stay awake for when administered general anaesthetic? I’m pretty sure I got to 7secs last time?!
Rebecka Vitesson
The Swedish athlete hurt her left knee during an event in the European Semifinals and had to withdraw from competition.
Later she wrote that she had a torn meniscus and will need a new ACL.
My semifinal experience a week ago ended a bit sooner than it was supposed to..
I feel I’ve been in this limbo for a month already, but it’s only 9 days ago & today I’m celebrating that I will be having my MRI tonight 🥺 whatever the results are showing, we can finally start working forwards.
It all ended so quick, but my team deserves to be acknowledged. Huge thank you to my coach, supporters, sponsors, loved ones. You have helped me excel in this sport and all the support I’ve been receiving after the injury is speechless
Still waiting for clarifications on when and if I’m having a surgery.
1. first priority to clean the knee and fix the torn meniscus.
2. then hopefully a new ACL in the same or in a second surgery.
Hopefully answers on Wednesday
Tudor Magda
The young athlete was hoping to go to the Games for a second time in a row, but recorded a video explaining he was “unprepared.”
”It’s on me.”
He also said that quitting never crossed his mind and vouched to be on the competition floor next year. “In fact, I think that, next year when I’m on the floor at the Games, you will see how much of a difference a year can make.”
Uldis Upenieks
For Upenieks, he believes he lost his spot on Event 3, even though he was only a single point behind 10th placed and into the cutline to the CrossFit Games.
He also had some issues with his shoulder going to event 5 that had snatches.
This year will be different!
As you all saw, this weekend didn’t turn out well for me. Started on the high note with 2 event wins back to back but then as weekend progressed I slipped down the leaderboard till in last event I dropped out from top 10 qualifying spots.
2 seconds / 1 point less is how much I needed to qualify for Games!
I knew the score to beat going into last event and I was confident that I will beat it. As I picked up dumbbells second time and crossed finish line I saw that I missed by 2 seconds and in that moment I knew my season is over.
Some will say u just needed to push harder or risk more or do faster bike , I agree but…
I think I lost Games spot due Event 3 , could not get right rhythm/technique on the box jump/step down standart, started to panic and all event went to 💩 and got 25th but with those moments it should be 12-15th place finish.
Going into the weekend, I knew I had to collect as many points as possible before the snatch event because, three weeks before the semifinals, I couldn’t squat snatch 40kg without shoulder pain. When the workout was announced, I tried everything to get my shoulder to work. I attempted Event 5 twice before the semifinals and couldn’t even meet the 245lbs snatch time cap. I knew there was a big possibility that I wouldn’t finish it and would end up in 30+th place. With one bad event finish, I could still qualify, but having two events outside the top 25 was too much to qualify for the Games in such a strong region.
Warming up for Event 5, my shoulder finally felt almost okay, and I was so happy to finish the whole event. That was definitely my proudest moment of the weekend.
If you ask me how I feel, of course, I feel bad, and I will feel like that for some time. But nothing stops; life goes on, and that is sport!
I’m thankful for my people @sallija_rh @normundsmucenieks @facundoe who was with me whole weekend and supported me🙏
Now Let’s get healthy and enjoy summer with other great events and races 😌
Fabian Beneito
The Spanish athlete wrote on his Instagram that his health is “not good.”
Note: below is loosely translated using Google translate from Spanish to English.
2024 Semifinals ❤️
Denying wanting and not trying to classify the goal of the year does not enter my head.
I tried writing something and I just have to delete it… because when you don’t know how to say it and if you are prepared to tell it, it is something more difficult.
My year is over here, suffering is over, my health is not good.
It has been a nightmare these last few months and if I am honest I am not proud of having competed like this.
Thank you all because the messages and support are something that is infinite. Sometimes you think (I have to work on it) that you are a result. And there are people who remind me that it is not like that and that is the most important thing.
Feeroozeh Saghafi
Another down to Earth athlete who simply said she failed forward and was happy and privileged to have competed against other amazing athletes.
Pressure is a privilege and I think failing forward is too!
It is a privilege to get the chance to try, come up short, and learn more than I expected! It’s a privilege to fail, even while giving my best, and STILL feel celebrated and loved despite the overall result.
A privilege to fail because every defeat also gifts me new level of courage to get up and keep chasing again.
A privilege to recalibrate and gain more knowledge in the process.
When I think about my greatest days, my best weekends, and my strongest seasons … they have all happened as a result of the failed ones and the moments I didn’t get it right!
Feeling all the emotions as they come but I’m also going to let every word of encouragement and love sent sink in and fill up a new tank💓🙏🏼
What a gift it is to compete and shine with everything I got. I can’t wait for the next chance to take the floor again soon 💪🏼
THANK YOU KNOXVILLE ❤️🔥
Read Also: Top 3 Fastest Athletes in Each CrossFit Semifinals Event Worldwide
image sources
- Ant Haynes: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
