Can Laura Horvath Close the Gap on Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr?

POWERED BY:

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

• The Belgrade Games took place over the weekend and honored Lazar Ðukić’s influence on the sport of CrossFit, especially in Europe. Read all about it below.

• The Rogue Invitational featured a knock-down, drag-out battle between Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr and her closest challenger, Laura Horvath. Is the Hungarian closing the gap? And if so, what does she need to overtake Toomey-Orr?

• Kirby Martin owns a thriving gym — CrossFit Elmira in Elmira, ON — but the path to get there has been anything but smooth. Read about his trials, tribulations, and successes below.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I am back to competing this weekend at the Belgrade Games. This is [the] first time competing in my home country in [the] last 7 years, and this time it is different. We planned to be here together. I know you are watching, I hope you are proud. I miss you every second of it.” - Luka Ðukić’s message to his brother, Lazar, from the Belgrade Games.

COMPETITIONS

The Belgrade Games Wraps, Honors, “The Heart of Europe,” Lazar Ðukić

The 2024 Belgrade Games wrapped last weekend, crowning winners Moritz Fiebig and Matilde Garnes after three days of competition. 

• Competitors from around the world took part in the event for a spot atop the podium, but that was not the primary reason many were there. 

Dubbed the “Lazar Ðukić Memorial Competition,” the Belgrade Games was a weekend of tears and sadness but also comradery and comfort as everyone came together to honor one of CrossFit’s most beloved competitors in his home country. 

The Workouts

The first of six workouts was: 

For time:

• 2500/2200-meter bike

• 150 double-unders 

• 1250/1100-meter row 

• 150 double-unders

• 600/500-meter ski

It was a significant 15 minutes, as it was when spectators and fellow athletes had the chance to watch Luka Ðukić take the floor in his home country, something he had been planning to do alongside his brother. 

On a social media post, Luka shared a message to Lazar:

• “I am back to competing this weekend at the Belgrade Games. This is [the] first time competing in my home country in [the] last 7 years and this time it is different. We planned to be here together. I know you are watching, I hope you are proud.”

• “I miss you every second of it.”

The courage it must have taken for him to be a part of the event is unthinkable, and it led to a victory on Event 1, with a time of 13:29, barely finishing ahead of Bronislaw Olenkowicz. 

A MESSAGE FROM NOBULL

Save Big, Train Harder

NOBULL stands for a straightforward, no-BS approach to wellness and performance, crafted for those who seek to improve themselves mentally, emotionally, and physically every day. Our resilient and versatile footwear and apparel are designed to support your journey in running, walking, training, and living. Here are just two of the product collections we’re excited about:

• NOBULL Allday: This is more than a sneaker. It's your versatile, comfortable, and durable ally in self-care. Designed to handle it all, just like you. No matter how you train, this sneaker will help you get it done.

• NOBULL Outwork: Whether you’re cross-training, in a HIIT class, or just doing some classic strength training, NOBULL’s Outwork sneakers are up for the task. Coming in a variety of colors, these sneakers are designed to match your training style and personality.

Right now, you can get $50 off your first NOBULL order with the code FIRST50. To qualify, you must have a cart value of $125 or more before the discount.

SPEED READS

💰 💴 Black Friday is still a few days away, but the sales have already begun! Check out BarBend’s rundown of the best early Black Friday deals on everything from workout equipment to supplements.

🗳️🏋️ New PFAA Athlete Board: After a vote that ended Sunday evening, the Professional Fitness Athletes’ Association (PFAA) announced its new Athlete Board. Here are the six athletes representing various regions of the world:

• Pat Vellner, Canada, nine-time CrossFit Games athlete

• Danielle Brandon, United States, six-time Games athlete

• Victoria Campos, Brazil, three-time Games athlete

• Jelle Hoste, Belgium, two-time Games athlete

• Jake Douglas, Australia, 2023 Games athlete

• Christina Livaditakis, Zimbabwe, four-time Semifinal athlete

🩼⛑️ Medical Team Volunteers Needed: The Legends Championship is looking for volunteers for the medical team for the December 12-15 competition in Tempe, AZ.

• Experience is preferred, but they will train the right people. This is a great opportunity for students pursuing degrees in the healthcare field to gain experience. Contact Stephanie Price, Director of Operations for the 2024 Teenage CrossFit Games and medical team lead for the 1st Phorm Legends Championship.

🏋️🏃PIT Training League: The organizers of the Pit Teen Throwdown announced the creation of a new competition series called the PIT Training League. Learn more and register here.

😎🌴 2024 TYR WZA Miami Beach Tickets Live: TYR Wodapalooza Miami Beach 2025 tickets are officially on sale. Don't miss out on year 13 of the original fitness festival, and celebrate Fitness. Community. Life.

• Get your tickets now and check out the new venue right on Miami Beach!

ICYMI: With few days remaining on the 2024 calendar, the rumors about the 2025 CrossFit Games season have picked up dramatically. Check out Mike Halpin’s (from Known & Knowable) rumor round-up and theory about the possibility of an all-online qualification process next year.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Is Laura Horvath Closing the Gap on Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr?

Two weeks ago, Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr became the 2024 Rogue Invitational champion, a result we have become all too accustomed to seeing.

But a deeper dive at the competition in Aberdeen, Scotland, suggests Laura Horvath might just be closing the gap on the seven-time CrossFit Games champion.

Yes, Toomey-Orr won by 60 points, and yes, she had five event wins. 

But Horvath had four.

More telling, however, is that Toomey-Orr entered the final event at the Rogue Invitational 45 points ahead of Horvath, meaning Toomey-Orr had to try on the final event for once. 

• If Horvath won the event, Toomey-Orr would have needed to place ninth or better to win.

OK, so considering Toomey-Orr’s lowest finish at Rogue was eighth on Event 6, it never seemed likely that she would perform that poorly on the final event. 

However, in the last five years, Toomey-Orr has generally been so far ahead entering the final event that sometimes she doesn’t even need to step onto the competition floor to win.

AFFILIATE COMMUNITY

From Battling Cancer to Unmanageable Rent Increases: Why CrossFit Affiliate Owner Kirby Martin Has Stuck it Out for 10 Years

“Running a successful affiliate is not easy. It is a very, very tough business.”

That has been Kirby Martin’s experience after nearly 10 years of owning CrossFit Elmira in Elmira, Ontario. 

After all the trials and tribulations of the last decade, Martin is adamant it has all been worth it. Not only is his 190-member affiliate thriving today in small-town Ontario, but he is stronger than he could have imagined because of it — stronger and more prepared than ever to handle anything life throws at him.

Martin’s Story

Martin and his wife, Shavonne, first discovered CrossFit 12 years ago when they lived in Manila, Philippines.

• “I knew nothing. I had no background in fitness. I had gone for a few 5k runs in my life and had a gym membership at one point in High School that I didn’t use,” Martin said. 

Joining CrossFit MNL in Manila changed everything. 

• “Holy shit, training is fun. It feels like I’m playing a sport. And everyone is so humble and kind and so hard-working,” he said of how his perspective on fitness changed. 

People at his gym told him he looked like four-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning. Martin had no idea who Froning was, but before he knew it, people were suggesting that he should become a coach. 

HIGHLIGHTS

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

• 🙌Congratulations to Ricardo Garcia and Marisol Umaña, who just won Wodfest in Costa Rica and have qualified for the TYR Wodapalooza LatAm Cup.

• Check out this 110-kilo/242-pound snatch triple for Peter Ellis.

• Congratulations to Nick Mathew, who just completed a Hyrox.

• Congratulations to Heber Canon of the Buttery Bros., who just completed an Ironman triathlon.

• 🔥Congratulations to Wooley Memeth’s John Wooley, who just completed a Hyrox in Chicago.