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Event Recap: Aphrodite Games 2015

The Aphrodite Games have become known as one of the most gruelling and athletically challenging events to grace the shores of Europe; mixing elements of Strongman training and Crossfit, throwing down on the beaches of the Mediterranean.

Following last years success, the Aphrodite Games 2015 added a second day of competition to the weekend. 67 athletes from 17 different countries across the globe competed in both individual and team events, under the blazing Cypriot sun amongst stunning coast. Mainly consisting of: 28 Russian athletes, 12 Cyprian and 7 Israelis, all competing for the a split of the 30,500 Euros pot.

Women’s division

The real drama of the event took place between the girls.

2014 Aphrodite Games champion Hannah Caldas pulled out of the event only a few days shy of competition due to sickness, leaving the title open for grabs.

The protagonist this time was the “Russian Aphrodite” Oxana Slivenko and her main competitor from Iceland Hjördís Ósk Óskarsdóttir, who performed twice at the CrossFit Regionals in the team division.

Oxana Slivenko
Oxana Slivenko

Oxana, being a step from victory last year, was in it for the win. From the first day of the tournament her intentions were crystal clear, unconditionally winning all three WODs.

Óskarsdóttir was constantly on her tail. In the first WOD of the second day, consisting of rowing, swimming and shuffle runs, the Icelander took her small revenge, but in the final power WODs of the competition Russian weightlifting and CrossFit star Oxana managed to maintain the lead.

As a result, Oxana dominated the weekend; with close competitor Óskarsdóttir finishing in second and Marianna Tzourtzek in third from Greece.

Men’s division 

The men’s competition was less predictable.

Champion of Aphrodite Games 2014 – Sergey Koltovskoy, was up against his usual Russian rivals: Erast Palkin, Dmitry Trushkin, Gennadiy Malkovskiy,. Whilst Icelander Jakob Magnusson (European Crossfit Open 2014 winner), German Joshua Wichtrup (32nd place at CrossFit Regionals Meridian 2015) where also amongst the favourites to win.

During first day of competition champion Sergey Koltovskoy maintained the lead. He won the second WOD with sleds and hit a new personal best in the third WOD with a 120kg snatch. The Crossfit Geraklion athlete rocked the clean and jerk as well, with another personal best of 155 kg.

The winners in men individual category
The winners in men individual category

His impressive lifts are result of training under the watchful eye of Arkadiy Chakrian (weightlifting coach of Crossfit Geraklion). With 275 kg in total, Koltovskoy actually  reached and exceeded the Russian standard of candidate to the master of the sports in Olympic weightlifting in 94 kg weight category (265 kg). 

Despite all these achievements, Erast Palkin actually took the win for the third WOD, who became candidate to the master of the sport Olympic Weighlifting a long time ago.

Going into the second day, Palkin stood just one point behind Koltvosky. Palkin had only one finish below third place on the second day, taking the first place finish with a significant lead.

With German Joshua Wichtrup taking second place and Icelandic Jakob Magnunsson taking third, the final day was a heated spectacle for all.

Masters division

The Aphrodite Games 2015 saw new champions in the masters division. Hungarian Frida Toth took the womens title and Cypriot Pancios Kiltou took the males title. Previous champion Ivan Surin had reportedly pulled out of competition due to injury prior to the event.

All winners
All winners

Teams division

A team divison was introduced to the Aphrodite Games for the first time his year. Russia had an impressive 5 out of 8 teams competing at the competition.

It looked like the podium was going to be a full Russian sweep, with teams in first Idol, Heroical Fantasy Killers in second and CrossFit Gerkalion third. Until the final WOD, where Team Gorilla from Israel won the final WOD to sneak into third place.

“Sport has no borders and, most importantly, no manifestations of negativity and resentment. On the contrary – the best physical and moral qualities appear at such events. The second Aphrodite Games are definitely a big success! Thank you very much! We will continue the tradition of the international tournament in Cyprus next year!”, – summed up by the president of the Fund “Geraklion” Sergey Eremin.

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