CrossFit Auckland athlete heads to Reebok CrossFit Games

Debbie Downing from CrossFit Auckland (CFAK) has qualified to attend the Reebok CrossFit Games in Carson, California.  The Reebok CrossFit Games will be held at StubHub (formally Home Depot Centre) Carson, California 22-27 July 2014.

The CrossFit Games searches for the “Fittest on Earth” and has competitors from all over the world attending to compete for the title. 

“The CrossFit Games are about being prepared for anything and everything and making sure you have no weaknesses. They (CrossFit Games facilitators) will throw anything at us.” Downing said.

Downing was last a competitor in 2012 finishing in 7th place and after a year long break from competition she has made it back to qualify in her Masters category of 50-54year old females. She enters the world championships in 16th position and ranks #1 in New Zealand.

2000 athletes worked to qualify in this age bracket with a total of 20 having successfully qualifying from all over the world. Athletes had five weeks of qualifying workouts and then the top 200 in each age group and of both sexes progressed to the next round, which whittled the athletes down to the final 20.

Downing is the only athlete in New Zealand in this age bracket to make it to the Games. There are only two athletes in New Zealand who have qualified to compete, including Downing, for the title of fittest women.

Downing has been training at CrossFit Auckland for five years and loves CrossFit, “it is such a variety of disciplines, constantly varied functional movements of varied intensity, Olympic weightlifting, power, agility and fitness across all spectrums are tested.”

Downing’s coach at CrossFit Auckland Alex Porter is proud his athlete has made it again on the world stage, “I am excited that Debbie can be a role model for athletes in the Masters category across the board. Debbie is a shining example of what discipline and a positive and healthy fitness plan coupled with sheer determination can achieve. She’s unstoppable.”

“A true role model to others who may think they need to hang up their boots too early. Full functionality and high quality fitness is achievable for life. Debbie is in her fifties and is fitter than most women I know.”

Downing is excited and nervous at the same time, “I wasn’t expecting to qualify, but thanks to Alex and Lisa from CrossFit Auckland for believing in me and getting me to where I am. Game on, I have worked my butt off.”