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2024 CrossFit Games Preview and Predictions: Men's Division

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • In just a couple of days, the Fittest on Earth will take the competition floor in Fort Worth, TX, at the 2024 CrossFit Games. Check out our podium picks and dark horses for the Men’s Division today.

  • Whether you are headed to Fort Worth in person or watching from home this week, we’ve got you covered. Check out how to watch the 2024 CrossFit Games below.

  • For those headed to Fort Worth in person next week, we’ve got a guide on where to get your fitness in at the CrossFit Games.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I said we were going to test the swim event on Monday at the lake. So, that was misdirection; I said that in case anyone was planning on going…the reality is we did it this morning.” - Dave Castro on his Day in Review for Sunday, August 4

CROSSFIT GAMES

2024 CrossFit Games: Men’s Podium Picks and Dark Horses

The men’s field at the 2024 CrossFit Games might be the toughest race we have seen in a long time, potentially ever. 

  • Twenty percent of the men’s field has stood on the CrossFit Games podium before in their career. 

On one hand, this will make the CrossFit Games incredibly fun to watch. On the other hand, picking the podium finishers is a challenge. Here’s how we think it’ll all shake out.

The Favorites 

Breaking down the field, seven men can be considered favorites for the podium.

Brent Fikowski

Over his career, Brent Fikowski has stood on the CrossFit games podium twice and has three fourth-place finishes, including 2023. So far, the events announced play nicely to Fikowski’s strengths. 

  • He won the “Run Swim Run” at the 2017 Games and finished fifth in the 5km run at last year’s games. As a taller athlete, he’ll have an advantage for all the step-ups in “Chad 1000X.” 

If the rest of the workouts lean to the traditional CrossFit side of the spectrum, it could be another good week for “The Professor.”

Dallin Pepper

At 22 years old, Dallin Pepper is a rising star in CrossFit. While he is the only member of the favorites list without a podium finish as an individual, he has three Fittest Teen on Earth titles. 

  • Pepper finished fifth in 2023 during his sophomore appearance as an individual. This was a big jump from 19th in his rookie year. 

As a developing athlete, Pepper could take another jump up the leaderboard this year.

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SPEED READS

🏋️🥇 2024 Olympic Weightlifting on Barbend: Be sure to sign up for The BarBend Newsletter to get in-depth results and analysis of the 2024 Olympic weightlifting contests, scheduled to take place August 7-11.

🤩🗳️ New “Fan Favorite” Award: Crossfit announced yesterday a new award to be presented to the athlete who receives the most votes from the global CrossFit community.

💪🔥 NOBULL at the 2024 CrossFit Games: Former title sponsor of the CrossFit Games, NOBULL will be in Fort Worth with a full slate of community events at CrossFit Panther City. Get all the details here.

📺😎 Dave Castro’s Day in Review: For those following the Games closely, Director of Sport for CrossFit and Games programmer Dave Castro is dropping short (around 5 minutes each, so far) “Day in Review” updates on his YouTube channel each day from Fort Worth.

🎟️📈 Games Ticket Resale Prices Dropping: Good things come to those who wait. The CrossFit Games start in a just a couple of days, and if you still looking for tickets, Mike Halpin, the mind behind Known & Knowable, has been watching the 2024 CrossFit Games ticket resale prices on StubHub, Vivid Seats, and Ticketmaster. And, they have started to ⬇️. Find the best available deals here.

ICYMI: When Ben Smith took the competition floor at the 2024 Crossfit Games Semifinals earlier this season, he was a decade older than many of his competitors and brought with him 15 years of experience. We talked with him about some of his favorite competition memories and his advice for CrossFit leaders today.

CROSSFIT GAMES

Credit: @crossfitgames / Instagram

How to Watch the 2024 CrossFit Games

The 2024 CrossFit Games will take place on Aug. 8-11, 2024.

The top 40 individual men and women and the top 30 teams will throw down in Fort Worth, TX, for the first time in a battle for the title of Fittest on Earth.

The 2024 CrossFit Games will be streamed live on the CrossFit Games website, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and in the CrossFit Games app. The action will also air on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+; you can see the full schedule below.

ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ Exclusive Telecast Schedule — All Times Central (local time)

  • Thursday, Aug. 8: 6 – 8 p.m. (ESPN2 and ESPN+)

  • Friday, Aug. 9: 8 – 10 p.m. (ESPN2 and ESPN+)

  • Saturday, Aug. 10: 1 – 3 p.m. (ESPN2 and ESPN+)

  • Sunday, Aug. 11: 3 – 5 p.m. (ESPN and ESPN+)

2024 CrossFit Games Schedule — All Times Central (local time)

Thursday, August 8

  • 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. – Individual Event 1

  • 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Team Event 1

  • 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Break

  • 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Individual Event 2

  • 2:15 – 4:00 p.m. – Team Event 2

  • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

  • 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Break

  • 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Individual Event 3

CROSSFIT GAMES

8 Places to Workout in Fort Worth During the CrossFit Games

Nothing motivates you to lift heavy and move fast more than watching some of the best in the world do it at the CrossFit Games. 

There are tons of affiliates in the Fort Worth area that are excited to host drop-ins during the Games. And, if you prefer to get your fitness in outside, there are plenty of options for that, too.  

Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of the best places to work out (indoors) during the 2024 CrossFit Games, all times local (CDT).

Compound Athletics (CrossFit Anubis) 
Address: 2529 Weisenberger St #105, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Compound Athletics is less than 10 minutes from the venue and has a full week planned for anyone who wants to drop in.

  • Thursday, August 8 – Christian Harris and Move Fast, Lift Heavy will host a class at 9 a.m.   

  • Saturday, August 10 – Out Foundation will host a WOD & Fundraiser at 10 a.m.

Thirsty? LIFEAID will be here all weekend, providing free FITAIDs and giveaways.

TYR will also set up shop here all week to sell apparel and shoes and host giveaways.

CrossFit Westwood 
Address: 608 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, TX 76104

Established in 2018, Crossfit Westwood is located in the South Main District, east of the Hospital District, and just south of Downtown Fort Worth. 

  • The affiliate boasts a fully air-conditioned building with two showers, a separate commercial gym, an outdoor turf area, and a coffee bar by Extinct Coffee.

CrossFit Westwood has partnered with GOWOD for the whole week of the Games.

  • Look for GOWOD-sponsored workouts, seminars, and workshops by some of the biggest brands in the CrossFit space, including GoRuck, TYR, and HWPO.

  • GOWOD will offer free drop-ins all week long — head here for registration information.

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating a PR, hosting a fundraiser, this, that, or otherwise? Send us a tip.

  • Check out this bar muscle-up progression from Guðbjörg of CrossFit Reykjavik in Iceland. Practice makes progress!

  • 🎂Happy belated 19th birthday (8/5) to Age Group Games athlete Jenna Michelotti.

  • Nice work to 7-year-old Kahil, keeping up with his dad on the high-level skills.

  • Can you keep up with coach Mike Burgener? He’s on a streak of 100 air squats per day. Nice job, Coach!

  • 💪Great job to Marie of CrossFit Oslo in Norway on the 100-kilo/220-pound push jerk.