The Fittest Masters on Earth earned their crowns last weekend in Birmingham, AL, as the 2024 Masters CrossFit Games, hosted by Legends, took place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center and was a resounding success.
With three competition floors of 20 lanes under one roof, the stage was set for the seven official age groups of men and women to compete for the title of Fittest in their divisions.
This was the first year that the Masters were separate from the elite individuals, which allowed the field to expand substantially. It also kept them in the spotlight, and they did not disappoint.
- This year, the Legends crew added a 70+ division as a trial. Since this category is not part of the official CrossFit Games season, these athletes had a separate leaderboard. The qualification process was based on the athletes over the age of 70 in the 65+ category.
- That leaderboard, along with the community team event, which included 100 teams of four, can be found on the Legend’s Classic website.
There were too many highlights and performances at the Masters CrossFit Games to list, but we’re focusing on a few that stood out.
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Will Moorad and Andrea Nisler Dominate
In the “young guns” division (35-39), Will Moorad and Andrea Nisler displayed the competitive experience needed to be champions.
- Moorad won five of the 10 events and took a 97-point lead into Sunday’s finale. Nisler, a new mom, won three events and had an astounding eight top-three finishes.
Moorad worked his way back from a recent hip injury that kept him from qualifying for the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth.
- Worth noting: In Event 7, “The Standard,” Moorad set the fastest time of 7:41. For reference, at the 2019 Games, Mat Fraser won this event with a time of 8:05.
Latin America Shows Up in the 40-44 Division
While 28 of 42 (67%) podium spots across all divisions went to athletes from the United States, Latin America was well-represented in the 40-44 division.
- After much jostling on the leaderboard, Jonathan Edel from the U.S. took the title over Chicho Quesada from Costa Rica. Julian Serna from Colombia rounded out the top three.
On the women’s side, U.S. athlete Carly Newlands finished 87 points ahead of second-place finisher Andreia Pinheiro without winning a single event.
- Pinheiro, from Brazil, was the only athlete to compete at both the Masters CrossFit Games and Individual Games. She has now finished second two years in a row.
Rebecca Voigt Miller, Iron Woman
Rebecca Voigt Miller is the most seasoned athlete competing today at an elite level and has competed at every CrossFit Games since 2008. This was Voigt Miller’s fourth time in the 40-44 age division.
- She ended the weekend in 12th place but still managed to pull out an event win for 24.2, which was a nasty combo of rope climbs, sandbag cleans, and handstand walking.
Her consistency is extremely impressive and what makes her one of the most notable athletes in the sport of CrossFit.
Jason Grubb Wins Five
With his win last week, Jason Grubb became the first Masters athlete to win five consecutive titles. His championship reign started in the 40-44 division, which he won twice. At 48 years old, he showed no signs of slowing down.
- Grubb didn’t need to win the final event, yet decided to put on a show anyway. He went unbroken on a final set of 16 bar muscle-ups to secure the event and overall victory.
Alexandre Jolivet (45-49) Is Strong
The Masters contender stood up the heaviest front squat of the weekend at 455 pounds.
- “Damn,” Masters CrossFit Games commentator Lauren Kalil said during the broadcast.
Patricia McGill Broke the Echo Bike Event
Athletes had three rounds to complete a set number of calories after a buy-in of double-unders and pull-ups (or chest-to-bar).
McGill was the only athlete to finish the event in the first interval.
- She completed 30 double-unders, 10 pull-ups, and 45 calories in an impressive 3:48.
The Canadian went on to win her first Masters CrossFit Games after four years of podium finishes.
Athletes Return From PEDs Ban
Multi-year Masters CrossFit Games athletes Shawn Ramirez (50-54) and Robbie Perovich (45-49) placed third in their respective divisions now that they are both eligible to return to competition.
What They’re Saying
The overall sentiment from the weekend was extremely positive.
Athletes, spectators, and organizers alike shared a sense of gratitude to have the opportunity to celebrate fitness with a healing community.
- “It was amazing,” event organizer Joe Linton said. “We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback.”
Linton and co-director Bob Jennings have plenty of experience running the Legends Championship, and they know there is always room for improvement.
- “We take all constructive criticism into account. We don’t just want pats on the back, because we want to provide excellence,” Linton said.
Linton noted that ticket sales were even more than expected, and they plan to have at least triple the stands next year. He also mentioned how cool it was for athletes to have their families and friends right next to them at the finish lines.
- “The plan is to be back in Birmingham. And it will definitely not be on the same weekend as the Teens,” Linton said.
It was no one’s wish to host the Masters and Teens Games on the same weekend. With limited time to secure a venue, it was the only option this year.
For Linton, the highlight was the professionalism and passion that the volunteers, judges, and crew displayed in serving the athletes of all levels.
In its inaugural year, the Masters CrossFit Games by Legends was run like a well-oiled machine.
Masters CrossFit Games Final Leaderboards
Check out the full standings for the Masters CrossFit Games at Competition Corner.
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35-39 Division, Men | Women
- Will Moorad — 895 | Andrea Nisler – 934
- Henry Matthews — 807 | Caroline Kluttz – 880
- Bronislaw Olenkowiscz — 765 | Sami Scorzelli – 755
- Stephane Cossette — 757 | Julia Holm — 744
- Mitch Wagner — 754 | Mekenzie Riley — 743
40-44 Division, Men | Women
- Jonathan Edel — 866 | Carly Newlands – 853
- Chicho Quesada — 796 | Andreia Pinheiro – 766
- Julian Serna —749 | Janine Shillington – 741
- Rudolph Berger — 708 | Jamie Latimer — 723
- James St. Leger — 706 | Janine Shillington — 712
45-49 Division, Men | Women
- Jason Grubb – 889 | Deanna Posey – 847
- Robby McCord – 853 | Kelly Friel – 826
- Robbie Perovich – 826 | Val Voboril – 815
- Cristiano Damasceno Leandro — 804 | Jenna Larson — 814
- Nuno Costa — 790 | Kim Mullins — 711
50-54 Division, Men | Women
- Justin Lasala – 895 | Janet Black – 844
- Jamie McGarva – 874 | Jen Dieter – 837
- Shawn Ramirez – 862 | Kim Purdy – 800
- Joel Hughes — 786 | Stephanie China — 799
- Jason Leeves — 766 | Tea Gebbie — 758
55-59 Division, Men | Women
- John Kim – 701 | Joyanne Cooper – 722
- Vic McQuaide – 683 | Tiuu Maavere – 659
- Leonardo Wernersbach Lima – 632 | Tia Vesser – 608
- Shannon McKibben — 623 | Shanna Bunce — 608
- Mike Egan — 611 | Maricruz Prieto — 606
60-64 Division, Men | Women
- Joe Ames – 770 | Laurie Meschishnick – 755
- David Powell – 716 | Betsy Vanderburgh – 743
- Tom Fameree – 680 | Marion Valkenburg – 695
- Stuart Swanson — 674 | Gina Viana — 668
- Peter Harvey — 650 | Lynne Knapman — 650
65+ Division, Men | Women
- John George – 734 | Patricia McGill – 770
- Freddie Cherry – 719 | Denise Moore – 734
- David Hippensteel – 686 | Julie Holt – 680
- Dan Brannagan — 686 | Diana Flynn — 647
- Dan Miller — 650 | Sue Lawson — 644
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Featured image: @focus.501 / Instagram
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