As it turns out, the only man who could beat Rich Froning is… Rich Froning.
The 3x “Fittest Man on Earth” continues his unprecedented streak of victories by adding a fourth 1st place finish at the recently-concluded 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games. Next year, however, he’ll be champion no more, as he is set to compete in the Team competition, ending his streak on his own terms.
Froning started his Games campaign by conquering his supposed “weakness” of swimming (he place 30th at The Pool last year), by placing 8th at The Beach. He then struggled in the next three events: Triple-3 (37th), Sprint Sled 1 (15th), and Sprint Sled 2 (27th.) His true championship form came in the final three events, placing first in convincing fashion to extend his reign as CrossFit Games champion. Rookie Mathew Fraser and Jason Khalipa placed secondd and third, respectively.
“Froning has been the dominant CrossFit athlete since 2011, and he’s been on the podium since 2010,” according to Mike Warkentin and Andrea Maria Ceil of the CrossFit Games website. “Over five years of competition, he’s won 16 events—more than any other competitor—and he’s finished top 10 in an event 45 times.”
For the women’s individuals, five-time CrossFit Games competitor Camille LeBlanc-Bazinet avenged her 16th place finish last year by winning it all. The first ever Canadian to win the women’s division had nine top-10 finishes out of the Games’ 13 events, including a first placer during the 21-15-9 Complex. Annie Thorisdottir came in second and Julie Foucher in third at the podium.
When asked how she prepared for the Games, LeBlanc-Bazinet said: “I attacked more of my weakness. I worked my ass off. Every year, you get better at finding your weaknesses.”
Here are the full results of the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games winners:
Men: Rich Froning (U.S.A.)
Women: Camille Leblanc-Bazinet (Canada)
Team: CrossFit Invictus (U.S.A.)
Masters Men 40-44: Shawn Ramirez (U.S.A.)
Masters Women 40-44: Amanda Allen (Australia)
Masters Men 45-49: Jerry Hill (U.S.A.)
Masters Women 45-49: Kim Holway (U.S.A.)
Masters Men 50-54: Will Powell (U.S.A.)
Masters Women 50-54: Mary Beth Litsheim (U.S.A.)
Masters Men 55-59: Steve Hamming (U.S.A.)
Masters Women 55-59: Susan Clarke (Canada)
Masters Men 60-plus: Scott Olson (U.S.A.)
Masters Women 60-plus: Karen Wattier (U.S.A.)
Spirit of the Games Award: Becca Voigt
Rookie of the Year: Mathew Fraser
Most Improved: Cassidy Lance
h/t CrossFit Games
