2021 CrossFit Games: five athletes who could upset the natural order in Madison
- Without Mat Fraser, the men’s field is wide open and there are some athletes who could come out of the blue
- Tia-Clair Toomey is favoured to win the women’s division, but if there is a chance of an upset who might that rival be?
The men’s field is the most wide open in over a decade with the retirement of five-time champion Mat Fraser, and the women’s division looks like a lock more than any other year. Of course, every season there is always the possibility for upsets and dark horses to emerge.
Here are five athletes who could make serious waves from July 25 to August 1 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Chandler Smith
The fan favourite has had some bad luck over the years in qualifying and making the big dance. Last year must have been the toughest heartbreak for the American as he found himself narrowly outside the final five who got to go to the famed CrossFit Ranch in Aromas, California.
One thing of note is that Chandler was CrossFit Games mastermind Dave Castro’s guinea pig for the final events that took place at the ranch. This year, the 28-year-old should finally get a chance to flex his massive muscles over an extended tournament and see if he can rise to the challenge. He regularly trains with the best in the world, including Noah Ohlsen and Katrin Davidsdottir, so he knows what it takes to be right at the top.
Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson
The 28-year-old Icelander is probably not a long shot, but for some reason he seems to have slipped under the radar this season. Last year, he was as almost as close as Smith to making the final five, but he told the Post he may have let his training slide during the initial stages of the pandemic.