This is the first part of an article series that will look extensively at the European Regional Athletes. Who else do you think will make an impact this year?
BJORGVIN KARL GUDMUNDSSON
The top favorite, advancing from the first place in Open in Europe North (12th worldwide), is Björgvin Karl Gudmundsson from Iceland. Björgvin already competed in the CrossFit Games finals three times and in 2015 he finished third behind Ben Smith and Mathew Fraser. Last year he took the eight place in Madison.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhrEdkDAG25/?hl=en&taken-by=bk_gudmundsson
Björgvin was competitive since childhood. He did gymnastics for nine years and he also played football (soccer) for fourteen years. This gave him good foundations for CrossFit in body-weight movements and aerobic capacity. He also represents Iceland in weightlifting, holding several national records in the under 85 kg category.
- Age: 25
- Height: 178 cm
- Weight: 84 kg
- Home gym: CrossFit Hengill in Hveragerði, south of Iceland
- Back squat: 202 kg
- C&J: 152 kg
- Snatch: 130 kg
- Deadlift: 236 kg
- 5 km run: 19:20
MARCIN SZYBAJ
European Regionals athlete Marcin Szybaj from Poland took the second place in Europe North. Overall, he finished 23th in the Open. Marcin has background in kayaking, in which he even won two European and three world championship titles as a teenager. In 2013, he included CrossFit in as a form of conditioning. Since, it has become his main sport. Marcin works as a personal trainer in Dopiewo, near Poznan.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXkdkHHzzx/?hl=en&taken-by=marcinszybaj
In Berlin it will be his third appearance in Regionals. Last year he ended 13th in the Meridian Regional – joint regional round for Europe and Africa. This year, the regions were changed and Europe was divided into two regions. Best athletes from southern Europe and Africa will meet in Meridian Regional in Madrid on 1. – 3. June.
- Age: 27
- Height: 178 cm
- Weight: 88 kg
- Home gym: CrossFit Joyride, Dopiewo, near Poznan
- Back squat: 190 kg
- C&J: 135 kg
- Snatch: 105 kg
- Deadlift: 200 kg
ANDREY GANIN
Andrey Ganin from Russia finished third in Europe North (27th overall). He competed in Regionals three times, twice as a member of a team. Last year he finished first overall the sixth Regional event – the combination of assault bike, burpees over the box and med ball clean.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhOkApcAfI5/?hl=en&taken-by=andrey_ganin83
- Age: 34
- Height: 185 cm
- Weight: 104 kg
- Home gym: CrossFit MDN, Moscow
- Back squat: 200 kg
- C&J: 151 kg
- Snatch: 130 kg
- Deadlift: 260 kg
- 5 km run: 18:55
ANNIE THORISDOTTIR
In women competition, the top athlete also comes from Iceland. This small country with approximately 300,000 inhabitants dominates the strength sports. Björgvin Gudmundsson is on the top of men´s leader board and recently Hafthor Björnsson captured the World Strongest Man title.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BayxKgxHP1V/?hl=en&taken-by=anniethorisdottir
Annie Thorisdottir is already a double CrossFit Games champion (2011, 2012) and seven time Games competitor. At her first appearance in 2009 she had only one month of CrossFit training and fans still remember Annie doing her first ever muscle up in the finals.
- Age: 28
- Height: 170 cm
- Weight: 69 kg
- Home gym: CrossFit Reykjavík
- Back squat: 125 kg
- C&J: 108 kg
- Snatch: 92 kg
- Deadlift: 170 kg
KRISTIN HOLTE
Kristin Holte from Norway advanced to the European Regional from the 2nd place in Europe North. She competed at the Games three time, with the best placement being the 16th place in 2016. Kristin studied clinical nutrition at the University of Oslo and she worked as a nurse. Before starting with CrossFit, she did various sports: gymnastics, dance, athletics – heptathlon, football, triathlon and cross-country skiing. Apart from her home gym in Oslo, she regularly practices in CrossFit Invictus in San Diego with the sought after coach CJ Martin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh0A7i9DgAe/?hl=en&taken-by=holtekristin
- Age: 32
- Height: 162 cm
- Weight: 60 kg
- Home gym: CrossFit Oslo
- Back squat: 132 kg
- C&J: 102 kg
- Snatch: 79 kg
- Deadlift: 143 kg
- 400 m run: 1:01 min
REGIONALS – LAURA HOVARTH
Laura Horvath from Hungary ended 18th in the worldwide Open ranking. Last year, she finished eleventh in Meridian Regional and year before she surprised everyone with seventh place at the age of nineteen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BimjQFzl3IM/?hl=en&taken-by=laurahorvaht
In the end of 2017, she took silver medal from Dubai Fitness Championship, where she overtook several Games athletes.
- Age: 21
- Height: 169 cm
- Weight: 69 kg
- Home gym: CrossFit B’Bros, Budapest
- Back squat: 130 kg
- Clean: 110 kg
- Snatch: 85 kg
- Deadlift: 167 kg
Who are you supporting at the European Regionals?
