CrossFit legend Chris Spealler stole the show at the South West Regional as he qualified for his sixth Games. Andréa Maria Cecil reports.
If only one word could describe the South West Regional, it would be “intense.”
Spectator numbers peaked at more than 2,000 to watch 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games competitors Patrick Burke, Matt Chan, Zach Forrest and Chris Spealler battle for only three Games spots from May 4 to 6.
The individual men’s competition was indeed riveting, with fan favorite Spealler falling out of contention for a Games spot on Day 2. Around the world, CrossFit fans tweeted about what it would be like if Spealler missed qualifying for the CrossFit Games for the first time.
But “Speal,” already known for doing the seemingly impossible on a regular basis, scored a snatch PR in Event 5 to stay in the hunt. Still behind and facing a rare summer free of a trip to California, Spealler left it all on the floor in the final event to come from behind and grab the third and final spot at the Reebok CrossFit Games.