Recent developments in the CrossFit community have hinted at the potential return of a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) for the upcoming CrossFit Games season, a topic that has sparked much interest among athletes and fans alike.
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What Led to the Speculation?
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The speculation started gaining momentum following Dave Castro’s Week in Review on January 13, where he laid out the math regarding the qualification process for the Games. Traditionally, 30 spots are up for grabs—split between Qualifier Events and online Semifinals. Initially, it was stated that 18 athletes would qualify via the Qualifier Events, while the remaining 12 would come from the online Semifinals.
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However, Castro’s announcement that all athletes qualifying from Semifinals would receive prize money raised eyebrows, as the recently released rulebook indicated only 11 athletes would receive such payments. This discrepancy hinted at the possibility of either an error in the rulebook, an unannounced In-Person Qualifier Event, or the revival of the Last Chance Qualifier.
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Rich Froning’s Insight
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Adding fuel to the fire, Rich Froning, a prominent figure in the CrossFit community, recently mentioned on his podcast that, “They’re doing a last chance qualifier, too.” His co-host Rory McKernan confirmed this tidbit, prompting an intrigued Angelo DiCicco to inquire further about its validity. Froning expressed confidence in the LCQ’s return, saying, “I don’t know if that’s announced, but I’m pretty sure. You heard it here first!”
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Dave Castro Responds
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In the latest Week in Review, when asked about a scenario where the top six athletes from the Open who have not qualified yet for the CrossFit Games could participate in a last chance qualifier, Castro replied with enthusiasm: “That’s a good idea. I like it.” This statement not only lends credibility to the speculation but also indicates a willingness to adapt the qualification process to enhance competitive fairness.
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A Look Back at Previous Seasons
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The Last Chance Qualifier was part of the competitive structure in 2021 and 2022 but was removed in the 2023 season. With the current discussions heating up, the CrossFit community is abuzz with anticipation for the potential return of this qualifying opportunity. Athletes and fans should keep their eyes peeled for official announcements as the season progresses.
