Sunday kicked off with a poignant memorial service for Lazar Đukić at Marine Creek Lake, attended by approximately 50 individuals, including European athletes, coaches, family, and community members. As the 2024 CrossFit Games came to a close, the spirit of camaraderie and resilience was felt throughout the competition as athletes honored their fallen friend.
Women’s Competition: Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr Secures Seventh Victory
Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr has done the unthinkable: she has clinched her seventh CrossFit Games title, solidifying her status as an icon in the sport. The 30-year-old athlete showcased her dominance by securing six event wins and consistently placing in the top five across various challenges in Fort Worth, TX, during a highly emotional weekend. Her only finishes outside the top ten were seventh in both the “Firestorm” and “Push Pull 2.0” events.
Reflecting on her journey, Toomey-Orr shared, “I think this is definitely the best one yet. Ever. I have always had a really strong support network, but this year we have really had to lean on my family to make sure that [my daughter] Willow had everything that she needed throughout the season…I have no regrets.”
Men’s Competition: James Sprague Crowned Fittest Man on Earth
In a remarkable display of determination, James Sprague emerged as the Fittest Man on Earth. The 22-year-old athlete made his mark during the final day of competition as he aimed to surpass Games veteran Brent Fikowski, who had maintained a 41-point lead. Sprague executed a strategy that capitalized on the 200 points available in the final two events, ensuring his ascent to the top of the leaderboard.
“To just be able to come out here and prove whatever hits me mentally, physically, I know that my spiritual strength is going to carry me through any challenge,” Sprague reflected during his post-event interview. His strategy paid off, as he showcased consistent performances throughout the challenging weekend.
Team Competition: Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder Takes the Affiliate Cup
The Affiliate Cup title was claimed by Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder, with team captain Kara Saunders, a seasoned athlete with 11 Games appearances, expressing her mixed emotions following the victory. She shared, “I’ve spent most of today trying to give myself space and understand that as humans, we can feel a few things at the same time. I wasn’t supposed to do it on my own.” This win marked a significant milestone for Saunders in her long-standing career.
A Weekend of Reflection and Support
This year’s CrossFit Games will undoubtedly be remembered not just for the fierce competition, but for the profound emotions felt throughout the community. A notable statistic from the weekend indicated that 21 athletes, including 13 individuals and two teams, chose to withdraw from competing during the weekend following the tragedy involving Đukić.
Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr also paid tribute to their late friend, emphasizing the impact of the events on everyone involved: “I don’t think there are words to explain how hard it really has been for so many different people, in so many different ways… I know Lazar is looking down on us and will be with us forever… he was such a special person.”
