15 October 2024
After three days of sweat, strength and strategy, Army lifted the trophy for the inaugural triservice CrossFit competition in Brisbane at the beginning of the month.
Team captain, Chief Operations Officer Sergeant Elona Stewart, said everyone played their part.
“We just wanted to win. When you start rushing you have to slow down because that's where people start making mistakes,” she said.
“It comes down to strategy; not leaving the line until you're allowed to and knowing how many reps you need to do.”
Matches consisted of three workouts, with each lasting no more than 10 minutes. The team scores were combined to determine which teams advanced to the finals.
Army won with 72 points, followed by Air Force on 60, while Navy scored 46.
Each service had two teams of up to eight competing in a round-robin format.
Workouts involved a variety of CrossFit movements such as muscle-ups, Olympic lifting, deadlifts and rope climbs.
Three points were awarded for winning a workout, one point for losing but finishing, and no points for losing without finishing.
Air Force team captain Corporal Christopher Walker designed a competition program that was challenging, fast-paced and featured high-intensity workouts.
Corporal Walker said the aim was to test teamwork and individual strengths.
“It was all based around intensity, fast finishes and being exciting to watch,” he said.
“The workouts were designed so no matter the ability of the athlete, anyone could contribute.”
Navy team captain Commander David O’Toole said his challenge was organising a team for selection.
“Without knowing everyone's strengths and weaknesses, it's hard to put a team together in a CrossFit competition,” he said.
“The workouts are diverse across the range of abilities.
“It wasn't until we all met up on the first day that I got to put them through their paces and understand what their abilities were and then start the structure of teams.”
Navy is the only service where CrossFit is yet to be endorsed as an official ADF sport. Commander O’Toole said the plan was to change that over the next 12 months.
“Hopefully next year we'll be a lot more prepared, a lot more structured, and the team that comes to ADF CrossFit Championships will know each other,” he said.
Earlier this year personnel attended the ADF CrossFit training camp in preparation for this month’s event.
The competition was supported by the ADF Sports Branch, which helped get the event rolling.
President of the ADF CrossFit Association Major Ernie Felix said the competition highlighted exceptional teamwork and fitness.
“Team leaders chose athletes based on their strength and performance in key workouts, ensuring those with the best skills for the specific demands were selected,” he said.
The aim is to make it an annual event.
“We hope to see it continue and grow, with each service eventually taking turns to host the competition,” Major Felix said.
