The 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games took place from Tuesday, August 1, to Sunday, August 6, for the final time in Madison, WI. The Age Group and Adaptive divisions occurred from Aug. to Aug. 3. Meanwhile, the Team Division and what some may consider the main attractions of the Games — the Individual Men and Individual Women divisions — began Aug. 3 and crowned their respective winners on Sunday, Aug. 6.
Jeffrey Adler and Laura Horvath are the 2023 CrossFit Games champions.
Two-time Mens champion Justin Medeiros came into the 2023 Games looking to become the third-ever three-time Mens winner, but after troublesome events on day one, he never regained his standings on the leaderboard and a new champion was all but guaranteed from the start.
In the Women’s division, a new champion was certain to be crowned for the first time in six years, as the winningest victor in the history of the sport — Tia-Clair Toomey — sat out of the 2023 competitive season to raise her first child, leaving the title undefended.
2023 CrossFit Games Leaderboard
Both the Team and Individual divisions featured a two-tier cut to pare down the finalists. After the workouts on Friday, August 4, only the top 30 Teams and Individual competitors continued on to Saturday. After Saturday’s workouts, only the top 20 Teams, the top 20 Individual Men, and the top 20 Individual Women continued vying for the title.
Withdrawals: Jamie Simmonds, Ellie Turner, Emma McQuaid
Men
- Jeffrey Adler — 953 points — Fittest Man on Earth®
- Patrick Vellner — 837 points
- Roman Khrennikov — 801 points
- Brent Fikowski — 781 points
- Dallin Pepper — 778 points
- Jonne Koski — 771 points
- Chandler Smith — 743 points
- Jay Crouch — 728 points
- Lazar Dukic — 716 points
- Jelle Hoste — 710 points
- Bjornvin Karl Gudmundsson — 710 points
- Bayley Martin — 679 points
- Justin Medeiros — 669 points
- Will Moorad — 598 points
- Samuel Kwant — 562 points
- Noah Ohlsen — 559 points
- Spencer Panchik — 557 points
- Colten Mertens — 529 points
- Nick Mathew — 469 points
- Uldis Upenieks — 442 points
- Moritz Fiebig — 382 points
- Samuel Cournoyer — 378 points
- Fabian Beneito — 371 points
- Henrik Haapalainen — 359 points
- James Sprague — 345 points
- Bronislaw Olenkowicz — 339 points
- Jack Farlow — 332 points
- Luke Parker — 317 points
- David Shorunke — 279 points
- Ant Haynes — 274 points
- Jayson Hopper — 201 points
- Kaylan Souza — 194 points
- Cole Greashaber — 178 points
- Cole Sager — 151 points
- Alex Vigneault — 129 points
- Michal Weslowski — 123 points
- Kaique Cerveny — 116 points
- Jake Douglas — 106 points
- Arthur Semenov — 78 points
- Jason Smith — 0 points
Women
- Laura Horvath — 966 points — Fittest Woman on Earth®
- Emma Lawson — 919 points
- Arielle Loewen — 883 points
- Gabriela Migala — 788 points
- Alex Gazan — 786 points
- Alexis Raptis — 771 points
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 741 points
- Emma Cary — 731 points
- Danielle Brandon — 711 points
- Paige Powers — 696 points
- Emma Tall — 688 points
- Emily Rolfe — 659 points
- Annie Thorisdottir —646 points
- Karin Freyova — 610 points
- Bethany Flores — 567 points
- Olivia Kerstetter — 545 points
- Paige Semenza — 443 points
- Shelby Neal — 461 points
- Elisa Fuliano — 454 points
- Kelly Baker — 363 points
- Christine Kolenbrander — 349 points
- Seher Kaya — 346 points
- Amanda Barnhart — 345 points
- Rebecka Vitesson — 342 points
- Abigail Domit — 319 points
- Sydney Wells — 304 points
- Baylee Rayl — 303 points
- Caroline Stanley — 306 points
- Alexia Williams — 235 points
- Feeroozeh Saghafi — 196 points
- Matilde Garnes — 195 points
- Ella Wunger — 190 points
- Manon Angonese — 173 points
- Michelle Basnett — 116 points
- Victoria Campos — 109 points
- Shahad Budebs — 99 points
- Emily De Rooy — 88 points
- Jamie Simmonds — Withdrawn (513 points)
- Ellie Turner — Withdrawn (226 points)
- Emma McQuaid — Withdrawn (122 points)
2023 CrossFit Games Events
- Day One — Ride
- Day One — Pig Chipper
- Day One — Inverted Medley
- Day Two — The Alpaca Redux
- Day Two — Ski-Bag
- Day Two — Helena
- Day Three — Cross-Country 5K
- Day Three — Intervals
- Day Three — Olympic Weightlifting Total
- Day Four — Muscle-Up Logs
- Day Four — Parallel Bar Pull
- Day Four — Echo Thruster Final
Day Four
The final day of the 2023 CrossFit Games began in dramatic fashion. Two-time defending champion Justin Medeiros was certain to not see a three-peat victory, as a result of entering the finals in 14th place — nearly 300 points out of the top spot.
While Roman Khrennikov held a commanding lead throughout most of the competition, Jeffrey Adler crept steadily toward the top spot — beginning the final day only 13 points behind the leader — and the contest was far from decided as the final day began. Competitors worked through three remaining events en route to determining the Fittest Man on Earth® and the Fittest Woman on Earth®.
Muscle-up Logs
The final day of competition started with a test of upper body strength and endurance. Athletes performed five rounds for time: 7 ring muscle-ups, followed by carrying one sandbag across the field while passing over three progressively taller logs — four-feet, five-feet, and five-foot five-inches.
In rounds one through four, the sandbags weighed 100-pounds/150-pounds (Women/Men). Round five challenged competitors with a 125-pound/200-pound sandbag.
Notably, Jamie Simmonds withdrew from competition (due to an unconfirmed injury) before the first event, leaving a field of 19 women to compete throughout the finals.
Men
- Jeffrey Adler — 7:28.70
- Jonne Koski — 7:31.43
- Jelle Hoste — 7:47.90
- Roman Khrennikov — 7:52.68
- Patrick Vellner — 7:55.62
- Justin Medeiros — 7:56.03
- Dallin Pepper — 7:56.62
- Will Moorad — 8:07.69
- Chandler Smith — 8:10.53
- Bjornvin Karl Gudmundsson — 8:10.95
Women
- Laura Horvath — 8:41.22
- Alex Gazan — 8:59.04
- Arielle Loewen — 9:38.84
- Paige Powers — 9:41.97
- Emma Tall — 9:46.93
- Emma Lawson — 9:49.49
- Danielle Brandon — 9:58.90
- Gabriela Migala — 10:36.84
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 10:47.96
- Karin Freyova — 11:04.76
Parallel Bar Pull
In true CrossFit Games style, details of the final two events were only revealed moments before the event began. Athletes worked against a 15-minute time cap to complete eight rounds for time: “Down and back” parallel bar traverse, 30 heavy-rope double-unders, and a hand-over-hand sled pull (345-pound sled/Men, 290-pound sled/Women).
Roman Khrennikov entered the event with a diagnosed fracture of the fifth metatarsal (outer-edge foot bone). He apparently suffered the injury during the previous event, Muscle-up Logs, and continued to put forward his absolute best effort.
Men
- Brent Fikowski — 7:45.08
- Patrick Vellner — 7:49.95
- Jonne Koski — 8:02.29
- Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson — 8:02.91
- Dallin Pepper — 8:17.85
- Lazar Dukic — 8:30.61
- Jeffrey Adler — 8:38.44
- Jay Crouch — 845:65
- Justin Medeiros — 8:57.93
- Noah Ohlsen — 9:00.31
Women
- Laura Horvath — 8:36.46
- Danielle Brandon — 8:48.42
- Alex Gazan — 9:16.53
- Paige Powers — 9:18.73
- Emma Cary — 9:27.72
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 9:33.93
- Arielle Loewen — 9:36.97
- Alexis Raptis — 9:45.72
- Emily Rolfe — 9:59.33
- Emma Lawson —10:06.92
Echo Thruster Final
The 2023 CrossFit Games concluded with two classic CrossFit movements — the echo bike and barbell thrusters. Competitors raced for time completing 21-calories echo bike, 21 reps thrusters (115 pounds/Men, 85 pounds/Women), 18-calories echo bike, 18 reps thrusters (135 pounds/Men, 95 pounds/Women), and 15-calories echo bike, 15 reps thrusters (155 pounds/Men, 105 pounds/Women), then concluded with a 66-foot overhead walking lunge (155 pounds/Men, 105 pounds/Women).
Men
- Dallin Pepper — 6:44.79
- Samuel Kwant — 6:48.70
- Justin Medeiros — 7:00.01
- Jonne Koski — 7:08.92
- Jeffrey Adler — 7:09.74
- Jay Crouch — 7:11.94
- Jelle Hoste — 7:17.49
- Lazar Dukic — 7:24.11
- Noah Ohlsen — 7:33.93
- Colten Mertens — 7:42.89
Women
- Olivia Kerstetter — 7:22.25
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 7:33.41
- Gabriela Migala — 7:40.61
- Laura Horvath —7:41.20
- Emma Cary — 7:42.54
- Emma Tall — 8:12.46
- Emily Rolfe — 8:14.49
- Danielle Brandon — 8:20.26
- Emma Lawson — 8:21.07
- Paige Powers — 8.28.94
Day Three
The penultimate day of competition included three events, ranging from “simple” running to “classic” weightlifting performed with CrossFit’s inimitable style.
At the close of day two, the competitive field was reduced by a quarter as only the top 30 entered day three. Athletes had three events as opportunities to advance on the leaderboard before the field was thinned again, with only 20 competitors reaching the final day of the CrossFit Games.
Cross-Country 5K
The third day of competition began with a relatively standard 5K run for time. Fans attending the Games in Madison, and spectators around the globe, were also encouraged to participate in their own 5K during the Games weekend.
Men
- Jelle Hoste — 16:39.68
- Jeffrey Adler — 16:46.48
- Roman Khrennikov — 16:57.08
- Lazar Dukic — 17:02.63
- Brent Fikowski — 17:07.96
- Jay Crouch — 17:08.62
- Chandler Smith — 17:09.03
- Uldis Upenieks — 17:09.54
- Will Moorad — 17:14.82
- Patrick Vellner — 17:29.52
Women
- Emily Rolfe — 17:48.62
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 18:20.13
- Arielle Loewen — 18:21.21
- Alexis Raptis — 18:26.55
- Gabriela Migala — 18:27.44
- Bethany Flores — 18:28.83
- Emma Lawson — 18:31.60
- Kelly Baker — 18.31.83
- Seher Kaya — 18:33.26
- Sydney Wells — 18:37.28
Intervals
Competitors tested their power and short-term endurance in this Athletes completed two intervals for total time with a 12-minute time cap. Beginning with two rounds: 21 box jump-overs (20/24-inch box), 15-calorie row, and nine burpee box jump-overs (36/48-inch box).
Competitors then rested until the six-minute mark, before performing final rounds rounds: Nine burpee box jump-overs (36/48-inch box), 15-calorie row, and 21 box jump-overs (20/24-inch box).
Women
- Emma Lawson — 7:48.64
- Emma Cary —8:01.67
- Arielle Loewen — 8:11.96
- Gabriela Migala — 8:17.58
- Emma Tall — 8:19.68
- Jamie Simmonds — 8:29.88
- Annie Thorisdottir — 8:29.89
- Laura Horvath — 8:32.50
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 8:35.32
- Danielle Brandon — 8:37.85
Men
- Patrick Vellner — 7:21.36
- Jonne Koski — 7:45.38
- Bayley Martin — 7:50.05
- Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson — 7:53.52
- Dallin Pepper — 7:55.53
- Lazar Dukic — 7:56.38
- Jeffrey Adler — 7:57.16
- Samuel Kwant — 8:01.95
- Henrik Haapalainen — 8:01.98
- Jay Crouch — 8:03.51
Olympic Weightlifting Total
Competitors were required to complete a traditional, if rushed, Olympic weightlifting total — with two attempts to work up to a one-repetition max (1RM) in the snatch followed by two attempts to reach a 1RM clean & jerk.
This was competitors’ last opportunity to earn points on the leaderboard before the field is cut to 20 athletes.
Women
- Laura Horvath — 470 pounds
- Christine Kolenbrander — 447 pounds
- Karin Freyova — 446 pounds
- Amanda Barnhart — 444 pounds
- Gabriela Migala — 436 pounds
- Olivia Kerstetter — 434 pounds
- Emma Lawson — 433 pounds
- Emma Cary — 428 pounds
- Kelly Baker — 427 pounds
- Paige Powers — 426 pounds (tied)
- Abigail Domit — 426 pounds (tied)
Men
- Jack Farlow — 701 pounds
- Bronislaw Olenkowicz — 680 pounds
- Nick Mathew — 644 pounds
- Jeffrey Adler — 642 pounds
- Moritz Fiebig — 642 pounds
- Fabian Beneito — 637 pounds
- Spencer Panchik — 633 pounds
- Dallin Pepper 629 pounds
- Brent Fikowski — 629 pounds
- Chandler Smith — 628 pounds
Day Two
Competitors woke up on the second day of this four-day contest knowing their initial standings on the leaderboard.
Defending champion Justing Medeiros finished the contest’s first day trying to rally after two of the worst performances of his competitive career, but he would need to build even more momentum to rise from the middle of the pack.
The Alpaca Redux
The Alpaca was the initial event on the final day of the 2022 CrossFit Games. In 2023, it makes an appearance to kickoff day two. Performed for time, with an 18-minute time cap, competitors completed a 126-foot sled push with six kettlebells (total weight of 443/546-pounds).
Athletes then performed three rounds of: two legless rope climbs, 12 kettlebell clean and jerks, and 42-foot sled push starting with two (53/70-pound) kettlebells — each round, two kettlebells are added to the sled.
Men
- Roman Khrennikov — 12:34.59
- Jack Farlow — 12:54.31
- Brent Fikowski — 13:21.91
- Dallin Pepper — 13:57.83
- David Shorunke — 14:04.63
- Bjornvin Karl Gudmundsson — 14:23.84
- Justin Medeiros — 14:31.17
- Jeffrey Adler — 14:33.78
- Chandler Smith — 14:49.37
- Ant Haynes — 15:02.37
Women
- Emma Tall — 15:54.01
- Laura Horvath — 16:36.18
- Alex Gazan — 17:25.97
- Emma Lawson — 17:35.41
- Alexis Raptis — 17:45.74
- Jamie Simmonds — Cap +3
- Rebecka Vitesson — Cap +3
- Abigail Domit — Cap +9
- Annie Thorisdottir — Cap +9
- Alexia Williams — Cap +9
Ski-Bag
Ski-bag tested upper body power and lower body strength. With a six-minute time cap, competitors will race for time completing a circuit of 30-calorie SkiErg, 30 sandbag squats (125/200-pounds), 20-calorie SkiErg, and 20 sandbag squats (125/200-pounds).
Men
- Colton Mertens — 4:30.60
- Samuel Kwant — 4:34.75
- Justin Medeiros — 4:51.88
- Jelle Hoste — 4:53.48
- Bronislaw Olenkowicz — 4:54.44
- Patrick Vellner — 4:55.13
- Chandler Smith — 4:57.11
- Jeffrey Adler — 4:59.86
- Roman Khrennikov — 5:00.83
- Jake Douglas — 5:05.72
Women
- Laura Horvath — 4:36.18
- Alex Gazan — 5:50.32
- Olivia Kerstetter — 5.50.91
- Ella Wunger — 5:54.35
- Ellie Turner — 5:58.67
- Amanda Barnhart — Cap
- Karin Freyova — Cap +3
- Gabriela Migala — Cap +3
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — Cap +4
- Emma Lawson — Cap +4
Helena
Athletes were tasked with a familiar-but-different presentation of a the classic Helen benchmark WOD. While Helen incorporates rounds of running, kettlebell swings, and pull-ups, the Helena event was three rounds for time (11-minute time cap): 400-meter run, 12 bar muscle-ups, and 21 dumbbell snatches (35-pounds/50-pounds).
Men
- Jeffrey Adler — 7:56.58
- Will Moorad — 8:05.63
- Lazar Dukic — 8:08.12
- Noah Ohlsen — 8:12.55
- Roman Khrennikov — 8:13.25
- Patrick Vellner — 8:16.52
- Chandler Smith — 8:17.72
- Jay Crouch — 8:18.36
- Uldis Upenieks — 8:19.90
- Ant Haynes — 8:21.29
Women
- Jamie Simmonds — 8:27.12
- Emma Cary — 8:38.61
- Alexis Raptis — 8:40.85
- Arielle Loewen — 8:42.74
- Emma Lawson — 8:44.92
- Bethany Flores — 8:46.27
- Paige Powers — 8:50.70
- Alex Gazan — 8:53.66
- Seher Kaya — 8:55.34
- Elisa Fuliano — 8:56.06
Day One
The first day of Individual competition will test the athletes with three separate events over the course of the day.
With the depth of field, Men and Women athletes will compete in multiple heats against their own respective divisions.
Ride
The first event of the contest may appear uncomplicated, but that certainly doesn’t make it easy. Athletes have 40 minutes to complete as many 2,400-meter laps as possible riding on a Trek Bikes Marlin 8 mountain bike. Notably, every lap also requires an 80-meter run to transport the bike through one section of the race course.
Men
- Ant Haynes — 7 laps
- Arthur Semenov — 7 laps
- Jeffrey Adler — 7 laps
- Jay Crouch — 7 laps
- Roman Khrennikov — 7 laps
- Jelle Hoste — 7 laps
- Moritz Fiebig — 7 laps
- Dallin Pepper — 7 laps
- James Sprague — 7 laps
- Brent Fikowski — 7 laps
Women
- Emma Lawson — 7 laps
- Emily Rolfe — 7 laps
- Emma Tall — 7 laps
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 7 laps
- Alexis Raptis — 7 laps
- Bethany Flores — 7 laps
- Gabriela Migala — 7 laps
- Jamie Simmonds — 7 laps
- Laura Horvath — 7 laps
- Karin Freyova — 7 laps
Pig Chipper
Competitors will have to manhandle the Pig — a specialized implement nearly eight-feet tall, roughly three-feet wide, and 20-inches high, weighing up to 254 kilograms (560 pounds). The unique equipment will be incorporated into a chipper-style workout* requiring athletes to complete, as quickly as possible:
- 10 pig flips
- 25 chest-to-bar pull-ups
- 50 toes-to-bar
- 100 wall ball shots
- 50 toes-to-bar
- 25 chest-to-bar pull-ups
- 10 pig flips
*Note: A “chipper” requires all repetitions of one exercise to be completed before progressing to the next exercise.
Men
- Roman Khrennikov — 14:28.77
- Lazar Dukic — 14:44.74
- Brent Fikowski — 15:04.80
- Spencer Panchik — 15:20.83
- Moritz Fiebig — 15:25.18
- Patrick Vellner — 15:36.50
- Samuel Cournoyer — 15:47.53
- Will Moorad — 16:00.90
- Bjornvin Karl Gudmundsson — 16:12.76
- Jay Crouch — 16:17.00
Women
- Laura Horvath — 13:50.40
- Arielle Loewen — 14:43.54
- Alexis Raptis — 15:14.94
- Emma Cary — 15:38.84
- Olivia Kerstetter — 15:49.36
- Alex Gazan — 16:13.39
- Christine Kolenbrander — 16:18.58
- Annie Thorisdottir — 16:20.26
- Baylee Rayl — 16:27.08
- Emma Tall — 16:32.72
Inverted Medley
This handstand-focused event will be a test of upper body strength, total-body stability, and gymnastic competence. Athletes will compete for time with a seven-minute time cap:
- 30-foot unbroken handstand walk over the ramp
- 8 free-standing handstand push-ups
- Unbroken obstacle steps to a 180-degree pirouette
- 16 pull-overs
- 360-degree pirouette to an unbroken step obstacle
- 8 free-standing handstand push-ups
- 30-foot unbroken handstand walk over the ramp
Men
- Cole Greashaber — 3:47.89
- Justin Medeiros — 4:03.63
- Bayley Martin — 4:25.68
- Jay Crouch — 4:27.72
- Roman Khrennikov — 4:40.23
- Patrick Vellner — 4:48.38
- Chandler Smith — 4:50.28
- Nick Mathew — 4:51.69
- Samuel Cournoyer — 4:57.40
- Henrik Haapalainen — 5:12.34
Women
- Danielle Brandon — 3:12.75
- Elisa Fuliano — 3:46.89
- Paige Powers — 3:56.62
- Shelby Neal — 3:57.57
- Alexis Raptis — 4:13.51
- Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir — 4:17.56
- Emily Rolfe — 4:23.30
- Sydney Wells — 4:33.67
- Baylee Rayl — 4:45.39
- Matilde Garnes — 4:51.37
How to Watch the CrossFit Games
Presuming you didn’t attend the Games in Madison, WI, you can watch the 2023 CrossFit Games via the CrossFit app, or online at the CrossFit website (Games.CrossFit.com), YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch. For the first time since 2016, CrossFit coverage can also be found on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+.
The Games Are Wrapped
The full field of athletes showcased their skills across 12 tests in four days to determine the Men’s and Women’s champion. Horvath is the first Eastern European CrossFit Games champion, while Adler is the first Canadian champion since Camille Leblanc-Bazinet won the Women’s title in 2014.
Featured Image: Courtesy of CrossFit LLC
