CrossFit Games 2019: Hong Kong’s hometown boy Ant Haynes ‘ready to rock ‘n’ roll’

The 30-year-old former rugby sevens player is to take on the fittest in the world in Madison, Wisconsin

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Ant Haynes is set to represent China and Hong Kong at the 2019 CrossFit Games. Photo: Facebook

Published: 3:00pm, 1 Aug 2019Updated: 9:39pm, 2 Aug 2019

As the 2019 CrossFit Games kick off in Madison, Wisconsin, some 12,300km away, Hongkongers have a hometown boy they can root for on the other side of the world.

The 30-year-old former rugby sevens player is the male representative from China (Hong Kong and Taiwan were put in with China in terms of country boundaries). Haynes, who came third at the Asian CrossFit Championships in April, was the top male in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan when it came to the CrossFit Open, an online, five-week contest where users submit videos of themselves doing workouts chosen by CrossFit.

Haynes came 123rd worldwide in the Open, but shot on to the sport’s radar after his bronze in Shanghai at the Asia CrossFit Championship (ACC). Haynes tied for third, but lost on a tiebreaker to American Josh Woodhull, who came 92nd worldwide in the Open. Woodhull and Haynes were beaten by Canadian Brent Fikowski, who came fourth last year at the Games.

Haynes flew from Hong Kong to Atlanta on July 7, landing after 27 hours of travel. It was in Atlanta that he linked up with Training Think Tank, a gym just outside the city. Haynes is training with friend Travis Mayer, a five-time CrossFit Games competitor who he has known for a few years, and they competed in a preparation camp that featured up to 15 athletes with Games experience.

Ant Haynes in Atlanta training with other CrossFit athletes and his brother Ed (both in blue shorts in middle) at Training Think Tank. Photo: Ant Haynes

“Guys like Noah Ohlsen, Travis [Mayer], Chandler Smith, it was a great competitive environment,” said Haynes, a senior health and performance specialist for Coastal Fitness in North Point. “I ended up doing 15 events over the five days to simulate what the CrossFit Games would be like, so that was really good fun and probably the best prep I could ask for.The last week has just been some final touch-ups and preparation.”