Let’s take a look at the top CrossFit athletes in the world, both past and present. We’ll cover both male and female CrossFit athletes and give you the rundown on what you need to know about your favourite stars.
The Top CrossFit Athletes in the World
Let’s get into the list of the best CrossFit athletes, starting with the men, followed by the women.
Top Male CrossFit Athletes
Let’s start with the male CrossFit athletes that you may already know and love. There are certainly some big names on this list, and many of these guys have big sponsorship deals with companies like Reebok or Rogue Fitness.
#1: Rich Froning Jr.
Rich Froning Jr.
No list would be complete without the addition of Froning Jr. He’s one of the best athletes in the world, having been dubbed the fittest man in history when he won four back-to-back CrossFit Games Championships from 2011-2014. He also won the open for three consecutive years during that same time period.
He’s still competing today, usually placing in the top 15. It’s certainly very impressive! His team, CrossFit Mayhem Freedom can never be counted out of the running for the podium at the Games.
His sponsors include Reebok, Oakley, Rogue Fitness and he also owns his own CrossFit box in Tennessee.
Do you want to know more about this popular CrossFit athlete? You can check out his full bio here: Rich Froning Jr.
#2: Josh Bridges
Josh Bridges, a top CrossFit athlete
Another guy that you’ll often see among the top 10 at major CrossFit competitions around the world is Josh Bridges. He’s been doing CrossFit since 2005, and has reached the podium numerous time at worldwide competitions. He’s best known for his hulk-like scream!
This former high-school wrestler became a navy seal and had an impressive military career. He credits this time in the military as giving him the mental and physical strength to achieve such great results in CrossFit.
If you take a look at his diet and workout tips, you’ll see that he’s a believer in not taking the easy way out. Great results come from smart, hard training and following a healthy diet.
If you want to learn more about this inspirational CrossFit athlete, then you’ll want to check out his full bio here: Josh Bridges.
#3: Alex Anderson
Alex Anderson, a top-performing CrossFit athlete
Alex Anderson hails from one of the top CrossFit families in the world. Two of his brothers, as well as Father compete at major CrossFit competitions, and many of them achieve some excellent results. His best finish at the open was 8th in 2015. At the games, his best finish was also 8th, this time at the CrossFit Games 2017. He’s still young though, so keep your eyes on him to place in the top 10 again in the future.
This former football player chose to focus on CrossFit full time in 2012. He hails from Knoxville, Tennessee. Although he doesn’t follow a strict diet, he tries to eat healthy foods and lay off the junk food.
Do you want to find out more about Anderson? Check out his full biography here: Alex Anderson.
#4: Dan Bailey
CrossFit Dan Bailey’s Stats, Diet, Age, etc.
Bailey is a former college level, Div. 1 sprinter at Ohio University. This former track star has now turned his focus to CrossFit and has achieved some excellent results.
Although his best games finish was 4th in 2015, he’s been within striking distance of the podium almost every time he competes. And you can certainly never count him out of any competition.
He’s certainly a fan favourite and embodies the spirit of CrossFit to the max. In recent years, he’s suffered from injuries which kept him out of some major competitions. Our hope is that he gets healthy and is again able to compete at the highest level.
Do you want to learn more about one of the top CrossFit athletes? Check out more details about him here, including stats, diet, workout tips and more: Dan Bailey.
#5: Ben Smith
Ben has competed in all CrossFit Games since 2007, and he achieved the title of “fittest man on Earth” in 2015. He’s appeared on the podium a total of 4 times, and has rarely finished outside of the top 10.
He’s one of the most prolific CrossFit athletes in the world in terms of consistently good finishes. He owns a CrossFit box in Virginia, USA.
Smith was a passionate baseball player in high school, only starting CrossFit when he was just finishing high school. His military father introduced him to the sport and he was hooked right from the start.
Do you want to find out more about this CrossFit Games athlete? Check out his full biography here: Ben Smith.
#6: Mathew Fraser
Fraser was crowned the fittest man of Earth in 2016 and 2017, having taken the second place finish in the two previous years. This former US olympic weightlifting hopeful has now turned his efforts fully to CrossFit and his results certainly speak for themselves. He’s certainly among the best CrossFit athletes of all-time.
He’s been competing since 2012, and we’re certainly excited to see what the future has in store for him. He’s definitely achieved some great results in a relatively short amount of time. Also factor in that he’s still relatively young and we’re sure to see some more podium finishes.
Are you interested in finding out more about Mat Fraser? Learn more about him here: Mathew Fraser. You may also want to find out more about his girlfriend who keeps him well-fuelled with tasty, delicious foods for competitions: Sammy Moniz.
Mat Fraser, the Fittest Man on Earth
#7: Dave Castro
Dave Castro, organizer of the CrossFit Games
Okay, so Dave Castro is not exactly a top CrossFit athlete. Although he competes in competitions, his results are not up near the leaderboard. However, he’s one of the most well-known CrossFitters. Why is this?
Castro organizes the very popular CrossFit Games, which has grown into a massive, worldwide sporting event. The winner of this competition is generally considered to be the fittest man/woman on Earth.
This former Navy Seal become interested in CrossFit during his time in the military, like Josh Bridges. He was instantly hooked and it ended up becoming his career upon leaving military life.
Do you want to find out more about the organizer of the CrossFit Games? Check out his biography here: Dave Castro.
#8: Ryan Elrod
Ryan Elrod, CrossFit Athlete
Ryan gained some notoriety in 2017 when he tested positive for a banned substance after finishing in 5th place during a regional competition. His result would have qualified him for that year’s CrossFit Games.
Instead, he got a 2-year ban. But, he starting competing again at the first available opportunity and we expect to see more of him in 2020 and beyond!
This Cirque Du Soleil performer was taking fertility drugs in order to help his wife get pregnant. But, he hadn’t been using them for a few months before that competition. Nevertheless, he was banned from CrossFit competitions for two years.
Do you want to find out more about him? Then check out all the details right here: Ryan Elrod CrossFit.
#9: Ricky Garard
Ricky Garard, CrossFit athlete
Young Australian athlete took the CrossFit world by storm in 2017 when he placed on the podium in third place. However, he would later be stripped of his title after testing positive for two performance enhancing drugs, commonly known as steroids.
For this, he lost his $76,000 prize money and would later be banned from all official CrossFit competitions for a period of four years. He’s still training hard and hopes to make a comeback in 2021 when his ban is lifted.
You can find out the whole story behind his drug use and suspension right here: Ricky Garard CrossFit.
#10: Rory McKernan
Former CrossFit media director Rory Mckernan
Although he’s not known for top finishes at the CrossFit Games on in the CrossFit Open, Rory Mckernas is a name that is often associated with CrossFit. This is because he’s a media personality that was the face and the voice of the CrossFit Games for many years. He’s the one you’ll often see in videos interviewing top CrossFit athletes or doing a kind of behind the scenes tour of the Games.
Prior to discovering CrossFit in 2005, he was already a well-known bodybuilder. However, after finding this sport, it became his new passion and would become his career for years until parting ways with the organization in 2019 after being fired.
The reason and cause of this is up for much speculation and we’re not sure that anyone outside of the organization actually knows the real reason. Whatever the case, he’s now moved onto other things and works in the media department at Red Bull.
Do you want to find out more details about him? Then you’ll want to take a look right here: Rory McKernan.
#11: Patrick Vellner
Patrick Vellner CrossFit
Who says you can’t be a student, go to work, and compete as a CrossFit athlete at the same time? Well, certainly not Patrick Vellner.
He is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic who became the second fittest man in the world while he was still a full-time chiropractic student who worked three times a week. Pretty amazing, right? Most other top athletes are devoting themselves full-time to training.
This Canadian has posted some impressive results at the CrossFit Games, including 3rd in the individual men’s categories in 2016 and 2017, and then his best finish in 2018 where he came in 2nd. For 2019, he posted a 16th place finish.
If you want to find out more about his stats, background, fitness and diet tips as well as a whole lot more, be sure to take a look here:
#12: Benjamin Bunn
CrossFit athlete Benjamin Bunn
While many CrossFit athletes excelled in other sports before starting their journey in the fitness regimen, Benjamin Bunn took a different path. He served as an Army Infantry Officer and a Special Forces Green Beret before becoming a CrossFit gym owner.
While Benjamin Bunn has not really made much headway in qualifying for the CrossFit Games, he has been joining the open in the individual and master’s category since 2012. This experience and background as a Special Forces Operator have gained him the respect of many CrossFit athletes and people aspiring to join the fitness regimen.
Where you may have more commonly heard his name thrown around is in association with Christmas Abbott, Big Brother reality TV star. Bunn is the father of Christmas Abbott’s child and is herself a CrossFit Games competitor and owner of a gym in Raleigh. Loyal Atticus was born in October 2018.
Abbott was in the news following her arrest for attacking another woman in November 2018 who was having a relationship with Benjamin Bunn. Do you want to know more? Find out all the details here:
#13: Cody Mooney
CrossFit athlete Cody Mooney
Next up on our list of the top athletes is Cody Mooney. Although he’s a relative newcomer to the scene, it’s evident that he’s here to stay awhile.
His first CrossFit Games appearance was in 2017 where he placed on impressive 17th place in the individual men’s competition. This was despite having a serious shoulder injury that he would have to get surgery for after the competition.
After that, he made an appearance at the 2019 Games as part of CrossFit Krypton which had some impressive results in smaller competitions.
He started doing CrossFit at the young age of 19, after participating in basketball and football during his childhood. He’s still a young guy so we look forward to watching him CrossFit competitions for years to come.
Do you want to know more about this aspiring male athlete with some impressive results in the Open, regional competitions and at the CrossFit Games? Check him out right here:
#14: Sam Dancer
Sam Dancer, CrossFit Games athlete
One of our favourite CrossFit athletes is Sam Dancer. Not only has he had some impressive results at the team competitions but he’s also legally blind. Yes, you read that right. It’s hard to believe but it really is true and we love all the challenges he’s overcome on his way to the top of the leaderboard.
He hasn’t let that stop him on his way to some great results. His best finish was at the 2018 games where he placed second in the team competition.
Want to know more about this inspiring athlete? You can find out all the details you need to know about him here:
#15: Alec Smith
Gay CrossFit Athlete Alec Smith
CrossFit certainly runs in the Smith family! Alec has stepped out of the shadow’s of his brother, Ben Smith and has posted some impressive results in recent CrossFit Games. His best result is from 2019 where he placed second in the team event.
Besides CrossFit running in the family, Alec is an openly gay athlete which makes him a little bit unique in the CrossFit world.
Want to know more about his story and find out all the details you need to know about him? Have a look at this article:
#16: Jacob Heppner
CrossFit athlete Jacob Heppner
Not only does he have brains but he has brawn as well! Jacob Heppner has brains as well. He took one of the hardest majors in college, math and has had a successful career after graduation.
As far as the CrossFit Games go, consistency should be his middle name. He’s had 3 top 10 finishes in recent years, with his best result being in 2019 where he came 6th. He’s been improving from year to year so we look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.
Check him out:
#17: Sean Sweeney
Sean Sweeney CrossFit
Sean Sweeney is known as the “CrossFit cowboy” and he can often be spotted wearing a cowboy hat at competitions. Prior to CrossFit, he was a professional rodeo competitor so he certainly has the toughness to compete at the highest levels in CrossFit!
Besides that, he is also a former Navy Seal. Quite the impressive background! He’s had some recent top 30 finishes at the CrossFit Games and we certainly look forward to seeing what the future will bring.
Find out more:
Top Female CrossFit Athletes
Now, let’s get into the top female CrossFitters. There are some big names that you’ll want to be aware of. However, none of them have had such prolonged success as someone like Froning, year after year.
#1: Brooke Wells
Brooks Wells, a top CrossFit Games competitor
One of the most beloved female CrossFit athletes is Brooke Wells. Despite being so young, she’s had some excellent results, placing in the top 10 in regional and worldwide competitions.
Besides being an excellent athletes, she’s also a CrossFit trainer and athlete at the University of Missouri. She’s certainly an athlete that will be around for years to come, so keep your eyes out for her on the leaderboard at major CrossFit competitions around the world.
She began doing track in high school and added in some CrossFit to increase her endurance. She ended up liking it so much that she never looked back!
Do you want to find out more about Wells? You can check out her full biography here:
#2: Katrín Davíðsdóttir
Katrín Davíðsdóttir is one of the most well-known female CrossFit athletes, having garnered some impressive results over the years. Hailing from Iceland, she’s managed to do what very few other athletes have done: win the games twice (2015 + 2016). In, she’s in quite elite company with only two other achieving this feat.
She’s a former gymnast and track athlete who is currently living in the US. She’s still young and we expect to see some more great results from her in the future. Katrin started doing CrossFit when she was 18 years old.
Do you want to know more about one of the best female athletes in the world? Then you’ll need to check out our full biography here: Katrin Davisdottir.
Who are the Fittest Women on Earth?
#3: Kara Webb (Kara Saunders)
Kara Saunders
Hailing from Australia, Kara Saunders has been named the fittest Australian women for many recent years. She’s also achieved some great results in the games and at the open, usually placing in the top 5 overall. We expect to see her at the top of the podium sometime in the near future.
What’s with the name change? She recently got married to Matt Saunders and in 2018, starting competing under the name, Kara Saunders. She’s also changed her social media profiles to her new married name, which is why you can sometimes see both Webb and Saunders in various places around the Internet.
Do you want to learn more about this famous female CrossFit athlete? Check out her full biography here: Kara Webb.
#4: Jaime Greene
Jaime Greene, a Top Female CrossFit athlete
Hailing from New Zealand, Green now lives in Dubai, UAE which perhaps explains why she’s not that well-known in the CrossFit world, despite having some great results on the podium at major competitions.
She’s a serious contender, winning the open in 2016 and placing 8th at the CrossFit Games in 2017. We expect to see more excellent results from her in the future.
Greene started out her athletic career as a gymnast and rugby player. She’s always been athletic since she was young and she also hails from an athletic family. Her sister is a top runner. Greene turned her attention to CrossFit in 2013 after her mom bought her a pass to a local box.
Do you want to learn more about this up and coming star? Check her out here: Jaime Greene.
#5: Brenda Castro
Brenda Castro, Female CrossFit Athlete
Brenda who? You may not have heard of her, but this up and comer has been named Mexico’s fittest women for many years now. She’s posted some great local and regional results and is starting to turn some heads at international competitions.
Like many other female CrossFit athletes on this list, Castro got her start with gymnastics. She’s put the lessons she’s learned from that sport into her CrossFit training and has achieved some quite impressive results in a relatively short amount of time.
We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Castro in terms of results at some of the bigger competitions. And also hope to see more top CrossFit athletes from Latin America posting some great results at the open and the games.
Find out more about her here: Brenda Castro.
#6: Lauren Fischer
Lauren Fischer, a top female CrossFit athlete
Another top female CrossFitter who is an up and coming star is Lauren Fischer. Hailing from the USA, she was an elite basketball player in high school before making the switch over to CrossFit. She began doing the sport at the young age of 14. This is unlike most other top athletes who crossed over from gymnastics, track or football.
Despite being such a young age, she’s already had some impressive results. And, we expect to see some more great things from her in the future. We certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see her reach the podium at an upcoming open or games. She has the right attitude, training and diet to make it to the top of the CrossFit world.
Do you want to find out more about this top CrossFitter? Check out our full biography here: Lauren Fischer.
#7: Sara Sigmundsdottir
Sara Sigmunsdottir, one of the fittest women on Earth
Another top competitor at the CrossFit Games is another athlete from Iceland. Sara’s best results were in 2015 and 2016 where she placed third in the individual women’s competitions. She’s still quite young, so we look forward to some excellent results from her in the future.
Like many other top athletes, she focuses on the basics. Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and thinking of food as fuel. This means that she eats a very healthy diet in order to achieve her maximum athletic performance.
Do you want to know more about her, including stats, results, diet and workout tips, as well as a link to her popular Instagram account? More details here: Ragnheidur Sara Sigmundsdóttir.
#8: Brooke Ence
Brooke Ence, a Top Female CrossFit Athlete
You may have heard of Brooke Ence because of her role in the 2017 movie Wonder Woman. But she was actually well-known in the CrossFit world before that with her 14th place result in the 2015 CrossFit Games. She’s also placed near the top of the leaderboard in most of the regional California competitions for the previous few years.
Ence made the switch from dancing to CrossFit after trying to pursue a professional dance career. She found immediate success, doing very well at some regional competitions and surprising the CrossFit world.
We certainly look forward to more to come from her, both in terms of CrossFit and her acting. Do you want to know more about her? Check out all the details here: Brooke Ence CrossFit. Or, you can find out about her husband, Marston Sawyers.
#9: Emily Abbott
Top Female CrossFit Athlete Emily Abbott
Abbott is a relative newcomer to the sport, but she earned some impressive results in regional competitions and at the CrossFit Games. She was an elite level basketball player in Canada, leading her team to two national championships before switching over to CrossFit.
She gained a lot of notoriety in 2018 after testing positive for a drug test after her top finish at a regional competition that would have qualified her for the Games. Instead, she was stripped on her finish and banned for four years from competitions until 2020.
We look forward to the return of this top female athlete from Canada. Do you want to know more about her, and the story behind her 4 year ban? It’s an interesting story that’s worth checking out, including her response to hearing the news.
You’ll need to check this out to find out more: Emily Abbott CrossFit.
#10: Amanda Barnhart
CrossFit athlete Amanda Barnhart
Amanda Barnhart started out as a relatively unknown CrossFit athlete in 2017 when she surprised everyone with a 25th place finish in the central regionals. The next year she was back with a vengeance as she returned to the same event and won half the events.
Amanda’s success in CrossFit is no surprise as she’s been a lifelong athlete. She’s competed in swimming, running, volleyball and gymnastics. During college, she swan division 1 at Cleveland State University. She’s also a certified physical therapist and works hard to balance her work and training.
Her 7th place finish in the 2019 CrossFit Games was all the more impressive when you consider that she did it in extreme pain since the Friday of the competition. During the Ruck (event 3), Amanda rolled her ankle and would go on to finish that event in 15th place. The rest of the weekend consisted of her trying to figure out how to manage each event around the needs of her ankle.
Do you want to know more about her? Find out all the details you need to know right here: Amanda Barnhart CrossFit.
#11: Dani Speegle
Dani Speegle CrossFit
Despite having started CrossFit in only 2015, Dani Speegle has quickly moved up through the ranks to become one of the top female CrossFitters in the world. With an impressive showing in her first CrossFit Games in 2019, we look forward to seeing what the future has in store for her.
She’s been competing in competitions since 2016 and quickly moved up the rungs year over year to quietly become one of the top athletes in the world.
In 2019, Dani posted some very impressive results, coming in 5th worldwide for the CrossFit open and 1st in the USA. That same year, she placed 27th at the CrossFit Games during her first time competing in this prestigious competition.
Do you want to know more about this up-and-comer? You can find out everything you ned to know right here: Dani Speegle.
#12: Sam Briggs
Sam Briggs CrossFit
Samantha Briggs is a former firefighter, footballer, and triathlete turned CrossFitter in 2008. By the time 2013 came around, she was at the top of the podium at the CrossFit Games. Since then, she’s had some other very impressive results, coming in 4th in two other years.
Originally from the UK, she’s known for having some serious mental toughness and dedication to her craft, earning her nicknames like, “the machine.” She credits firefighting for helping her to have what it takes mentally to make it to the top of the CrossFit world.
Despite closing in on 40, she still trains and competes hard and we certainly look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.
Do you want to know more about Sam Briggs? She’s certainly one of the most popular female CrossFit athletes in the world.
You can find out all the details you need to know here: Sam Briggs CrossFit.
#13: Andrea Ager (Montalvo)
CrossFit athlete Andrea Montalvo
Andrea Montavlo, formerly known an Andrea Ager has the nickname of Agerbomb. She’s one of the top CrossFit athletes and trainers in the world.
Like most of the other athletes on this list, she was very active in a number of sports before discovering this one, including swimming, volleyball, as well as track & field. She ran university track.
However, she became interested in CrossFit during college when she happened to hear a presentation about that. She got started and never looked back.
As far as results go, her top performance was at the 2016 CrossFit Games where she finished in 4th place in the team event.
Do you want to know more about this popular athlete and trainer? Then you’ll want to check this out: Andrea Ager.
#14: Bethany Shadburne (Branham)
Female CrossFit athlete
Bethany Shadburne had a long history with sports and other athletic competitions before being introduced to CrossFit by her ex-husband. Prior to that, she competed in gymnastics, bodybuilding and triathlons.
It’s certainly a great foundation for the all-round workout that is CrossFit. And like many of the top female CrossFit athletes, her gymnastics background has certainly served her well for many of the events, giving her a leg up on the competition. Combine that with her background in bodybuilding and it’s clear why she’s done so well in competitions.
In terms of results, she placed an impressive 22nd overall at her first CrossFit Games in 2017. She improved to 16th place the next year and then placed 8th in 2019. We’re super excited to see what the future holds for her and wonder if she’ll make it to the podium in 2020.
Curious to know more about this up and coming female CrossFit star? A good place to start is this article with diet, training tips, history with CrossFit and more: Bethany Shadburne.
#15: Kristi Eramo
CrossFit athlete Kristi Eramo
One of the up and coming athletes in the CrossFit Games world is Kristi Eramo. Since making the crossover from swimming and triathlons, she’s posted some impressive results. Not only does she have braun, but she has brains as well as she’s worked as an accountant before devoting herself to CrossFit full-time. Impressive, right?
She got her start with CrossFit in 2014 and appeared just two short years later at the CrossFit Games 2016, posting an impressive 8th place finish in the open category. She gained two more top 20 finishes in 2017 and 2018, although her rookie year ended up being her best result.
Eramo opted out of the 2019 CrossFit Games in order to let her body recover. We certainly look forward to seeing her back in there in 2020 and wonder if she’s crack the top 10 again, or even reach the podium.
Do you want to see more about one of the fan favourites? You can see all the details right here: Kristi Eramo.
#16: Miranda Oldroyd
CrossFit athlete Miranda Oldroyd
This top CrossFit athlete made the crossover into CrossFit from the fitness world, where she was a personal trainer. She has long been considered one of the top athletes on the West Coast.
She got started with CrossFit when she was looking for a training program for her clients that replicated the Navy Seal training. Of course, she found CrossFit as a result of this!
Not only does she coach and train, but she also competes as well. Her team took first place in the California regionals in 2015 and she went on to compete in the 2015 Games. Her team was on track for a podium finish, but she tore her ACL during the clean & jerk event and her team’s rankings dropped sharply in the remaining events as she was unable to compete.
Want to find out about her? You’ll want to check this out: Miranda Oldroyd.
#17: Laura Horvath
CrossFit athlete Laura Horvath
You’ve probably heard of Laura Horvath before, as she surprised the CrossFit world with a second place finish at the 2018 games, finishing just behind Tia Clair-Toomey. It’s quite impressive, considering that she hasn’t been around the sport for so long.
Hailing from Hungary, this athlete has quite an athletic background. Her father was a pro athlete and her mother a PE teacher. Her earlier days saw her getting into wall climbing, winning several competitions and helping to lay the strength foundation for CrossFit.
We are certainly excited to see what the future holds for this up and coming star. Do you want to find out more about her? Then you’ll want to check this out: Laura Horvath Bio.
#18: Tia-Clair Toomey
The Fittest Woman in the World
A consummate competitor, Tia Clair-Toomey is the first woman to win the CrossFit Games three times. Aside from being a CrossFit athlete, she also qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics as a weightlifter. She is considered as one of the all-time greats in a sport where the fittest will always come out on top.
Tia got into CrossFit in 2013 and learned the basics of weightlifting. After seeing her lift her previous personal best in clean and jerk, weightlifting coach Miles Wydall encouraged her to have a run at representing Australia in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
After seriously training for 18 months, Tia became one of the two Australian weightlifters to qualify for the Rio Olympics. With this, she became the first person to compete in the Olympics and CrossFit games in the same year. Moreover, she also won the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in her weight category.
Do you want to know more about this dominant female CrossFit athlete? Then you’ll definitely want to check this out: Tia Clair-Toomey CrossFit.
#19: Jessica Griffith
CrossFit Games athlete Jessica Griffith
Working 12-hour shifts as a registered nurse can be quite exhausting. But if you’re Jessica Griffith, it’s not enough to keep you from competing as a CrossFit athlete.
Jessica was dubbed “Fittest Nurse on Earth” in 2017 by the CrossFit Games Open. She competed with other nurses around the world. Her results in five workouts over the course of five weeks showed that she was the best among all competitors from the nursing profession.
After working for five years as a nurse in different specialties, she decided to focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle through the CrossFit platform. With this, she is now a nutrition coach and travels around the world to promote health and wellness. Jessica is also continuing her CrossFit training with the aim of qualifying in CrossFit games in the future.
Do you want to know more about this hard-working athlete? Then find out all the details you need to know right here: Jessica Griffith CrossFit.
#20: Kaitlyn Kassis
Kaitlyn Kassis CrossFit
Kaitlyn was only 17 years old when she was introduced to CrossFit. After watching the replay of the 2011 games, she looked for the nearest gym and enrolled in an introductory class. She later signed up for a three-month membership and the rest is history. Kaitlyn started her CrossFit training when she was a college freshman in 2012.
The first time Kaitlyn Kassis competed in CrossFit was in 2014 when she was part of CrossFit Davis that placed 8th in the Northern California Regionals. Her first taste of the big stage as an individual was during the 2015 California Regionals.
While she was barely out of her teens, she was able to finish 36th overall during the regionals. The following year she joined CrossFit Davis in the CrossFit Games as they finished 26th overall. Her best finish so far was the team competition in the 2018 CrossFit Games when CrossFit Invictus X finished 2nd overall.
For all the details about this athlete with some impressive results in the team event at the CrossFit Games, be sure to check out: Kaitlyn Kassis CrossFit.
#21: Natalie Newhart
Natalie Newhart, CrossFit Athlete
Despite her petite frame, Natalie Newhart competed in the 2013 CrossFit Games. She also finished 8th overall in the 2015 South Regionals. Weighing 120 lbs., she is one of the lightest female CrossFit athletes in the history of the games.
Natalie was hooked to CrossFit from the very beginning. While she did other sports in the past, CrossFit stuck to her. Training five hours a day, six days a week, she was able to qualify for the 2013 CrossFit Games, a feat many CrossFit watchers find amazing especially with her petite physique. But she ended up at 30th place after she was unable to lift 265-pound deadlift in the last event.
While she is not considered as the strongest CrossFit athlete, she can easily outperform everybody else in gymnastic events. In 2014, she was unable to qualify for the CrossFit Games since she injured her back.
Her fighting spirit motivated her to aim for the 2015 games. Natalie continued to work on her exercises and eventually increased her strength. But she still missed qualifying for the 2015 CrossFit Games.
Before the 2016 CrossFit Games, she received a two-year suspension after an out-of-competition test came back positive for an anabolic agent. While she felt devastated with the suspension, she owned up to the whole thing rather than deny it.
If you want to read more of her story, be sure to check out the following: Natalie Newhart CrossFit.
#22: Alessandra Pichelli
CrossFit athlete Alessandra Pichelli
A globetrotter at a young age, Alessandra Pichelli has lived in four countries even before she reached high school. Even as she was born in Canada, this experienced CrossFit athlete is now representing Italy since both parents are Italian immigrants.
Alessandra Pichelli has a storied CrossFit career where she made eight consecutive appearances in the CrossFit Games (including her first appearance in the team competition in 2012).
While her best achievement was when she missed a podium finished by one spot in 2013, Sandra is a force to be reckoned with in the Northern California and California regionals ever since she started competing as an individual in 2013 until 2018.
If you want to find out more details about this elite Canadian-Italian athlete, then you’ll definitely want to have a look at the following information with details about her background, stats, results and more:
Alessandra Pichelli CrossFit Athlete.
#23: Colleen Fotsch
Colleen was the captain of the Palo Alto High School swim team during her junior and senior seasons. During her stint, her team was undefeated for two seasons. Additionally, Colleen also qualified for the 100-meter butterfly in the US Olympic trials in 2008.
Right after she graduated, there was a time when Colleen Fotsch was unhappy with her body. But this changed after she went to the NorCal CrossFit Regionals as a spectator in 2013. This served as her introduction to the fitness regimen. At this point, she decided to know more about the sport and start training. She took classes at United Barbell and joined her first regionals in 2014.
As far as results go, her best finish was in 2017 with 4th place in the team event. She qualified as an individual in 2019 and placed 27th.
Do you want to find out more about this elite swimmer turned CrossFit Games athlete? You can see all the details you need to know right here:
#24: Margaux Alvarez
Passion made Margaux Alvarez excel in the numerous sports she joined. This passion also allowed her to overcome a tragedy that would have taken the fire out of any ordinary mortal. A six-time CrossFit Games individual athlete, Margaux is considered as one of the toughest competitors in the world of CrossFit. She lost her younger sister in 2008 due to a car accident.
As far as results go, her best placing at the CrossFit Games was in 2015 when she placed ninth. In other years, she’s been consistently in the top 30.
Some people may think that Margaux Alvarez follows the same diet of many CrossFit athletes to make her one of the toughest CrossFit competitors in the world. But lo and behold, she is not a strict Paleo diet follower since she eats what she thinks is good for her and what her body needs.
Margaux tries to consume around 300 grams of carbohydrates every day. Around 43 percent of this carbohydrate intake is complex carbohydrates. This provides the fuel for her muscles and keeps blood sugars at a normal level. The complex carbohydrates come from potatoes, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, rice, and wheat bread.
Do you want to find out all the details? Check out this article: Margaux Alvarez CrossFit Athlete.
#25: Anna Fragkou
Anna Fragkou: CrossFit Athlete
Hailing from Greece, Anna achieve an impressive 9th place finish in the 2019 CrossFit Games and was also the fittest woman in Green for 5 years running. Like most other top CrossFitters, she has a background in sports, participating mostly in track and field events.
She began competing in CrossFit competitions in 2015, gradually improving until her best results at the 2019 CrossFit Games with an impressive 9th place finish. However, she tested positive at this same event for anabolic steroids and received a 4 year ban from competing.
Although she claims to not know how these drugs got into her system, her appeal failed and the ban was upheld.
This effectively ended her career, at least for the short-term. She’s still training but has since focused her attention on other endeavours.
Do you want to hear the whole story, including her stats, results, fitness tips and life before CrossFit? You’ll want to check this out: Anna Fragkou.
#26: Lauren Herrera
Lauren Herrera
Let’s meet one of the fittest nurses in the world! Not only does she have a very demanding job but she consistently does well in the fittest nurse on Earth competition as well.
In addition to that, she’s also competed in team events at the CrossFit Games. And she’s also had some impressive individual finishes at regional events.
However, she tested positive for a banned substance in a regional competition in 2019 which led to her suspension from competition for four years. However, we expect her to be back better than ever in 2023. Look out!
Do you want to know more about this impressive nurse with not only a demanding job and family but an intense training schedule as well? Find out all the details here:
#27: Elly Kabboord
CrossFit athlete Elly Kabboord
Another top female CrossFit athlete that was in the news recently was Elly Kabbord. She failed a drug test in 2019 and received a 4-year competition ban. Although she claimed to have never used performance-enhancing drugs and filed an appeal, it was not accepted and the ban was upheld.
Before that, she was a key member of CrossFit Mayhew Freedom with Rich Froning Jr., posting some impressive results during regional competitions and at the CrossFit Games. In 2015 and 2016, she was on the first-place team and then they took second in the following year.
Since her ban, she’s turned much of her attention to own clothing line, Elly and Elly K. Check it out and see for yourself what she’s been doing with her time these days!
If you want to know more about this top female CrossFit athlete, have a look at her bio, stats, Instagram, results and a whole lot more:
#28: Chantelle Loehner
CrossFit athlete Chantelle Loehner
Another female CrossFit athlete in the news is Chantelle Loehner. Like many others, she found her way into the headlines with a positive drug test during a 2019 competition. For this, she received a 4-year ban from competition.
She achieved the greatest success in team competitions, posting some good results at regional competitions and also competing in Dubai. Her dream of competing at the CrossFit Games is now on hold but we have a feeling that she’ll back in a few years, even stronger than before.
To find out more about this top athlete, including her stats, results, bio, training tips and a whole lot more, have a look here:
#29: Sheila Barden
Sheila Barden
Despite being small in stature, coming in at 5 feet tall, Sheila Barden certainly packs a punch. She’s had some great results at recent CrossFit Games, including a 6th place finish at the team event in 2018.
We certainly look forward to seeing Sheila compete again in the future and we anticipate some great results from her.
If you want to know more about Barden, have a look at this article we put together. It has her stats, bio, life before CrossFit, diet and training tips and more. Check it out:
#30: Kelly Baker
CrossFit Kelly Baker
If you’re the type of person who believes it’s more about the journey than the destination, then you’re going to love Kelly Baker. While she has placed well in some regional competitions and has even made an appearance at the CrossFit Games, she loves training and pushing herself to be the best more than the actual results.
Not only that, but she’s a 4th grade teacher so you can certainly say that she’s busy in her normal life when not at the gym!
Find out more about this inspiring CrossFit athlete:
33: Rachel Campbell
Although showing some great promise as an up and coming female CrossFit athlete, Rachel Campbell has had numerous setbacks.
First of all, she suffered a bicep injury which took her out of the competition. Then, she took a drug on the recommendation of her doctor and ended up testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Despite appealing this, she received a 4-year ban. from competitions. She’s slated to be back in 2022 and in the meantime, she’s still training hard.
Want to find out more? You can check out her entire story here:
Top CrossFit Athletes FAQs
There are a number of common questions that people have about the best CrossFit athletes. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.
Are CrossFitters athletes?
CrossFitters are certainly athletes, especially at the elite level. You have to be able to lift a lot of weight, have cardiovascular endurance for rowing, biking, swimming and running, plus the athleticism to do things like climb ropes, walk on your hands, and more.
How much does a CrossFit athlete make?
A first-place finish at the CrossFit Games nets that person around $400,000. However, most of the top athletes make significantly more than that from things like sponsorships, owning a CrossFit box, running a popular website, or having a large social media following.
Is CrossFit bad for athletes?
You can certainly get injured during CrossFit, especially if you do it 5-6 days a week and don’t allow time for your body to heal from the workout. This can lead to stress fractures and strains, and in some extreme cases, even rhabdomyolysis, which can be fatal.
How old are the top CrossFit Athletes?
The top CrossFit athletes are generally in their mid-late 20’s or early 30’s. However, a number of top athletes are now over 30, including Mat Fraser, Patrick Velllner, and Kara Saunders. They are certainly showing no signs at all of slowing down.
How many hours a day do CrossFit athletes train?
The athletes you see at the CrossFit games usually train 6 days a week with 2 sessions/day. This comes out to around 20 hours a week. Some will focus on strength, others on cardio, and some on technique for things like rope climbing.
How can I Become a Top CrossFit Athlete?
Becoming a top CrossFit athlete requires dedication, hard work, and a strategic approach to training. Here are some general steps to help you on your journey:
Start with a solid foundation
Begin by developing a strong base of fitness and athleticism. Focus on improving your strength, endurance, agility, and mobility through various exercises and training modalities.
Find a reputable CrossFit gym
Join a CrossFit gym (also known as a “box”) with experienced coaches who can guide you through proper technique, programming, and progression. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can also enhance your motivation and accountability.
Learn the fundamentals
Master the foundational CrossFit movements, such as squats, deadlifts, cleans, snatches, pull-ups, muscle-ups, and handstand push-ups. Focus on mastering proper form and technique to prevent injuries and optimize performance.
Follow a well-structured training program
Seek guidance from a knowledgeable CrossFit coach or follow established training programs designed for competitive athletes. These programs typically incorporate a balanced mix of strength training, metabolic conditioning, skill work, and recovery.
Prioritize nutrition and recovery
Proper nutrition and recovery are crucial for optimal performance and progress. Eat a balanced diet that supports your training goals, ensuring an adequate intake of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Prioritize quality sleep, rest days, and active recovery techniques to allow your body to repair and adapt.
Compete in local competitions
Participate in local CrossFit competitions to gain experience and test your abilities. This exposure to competition can help you identify areas for improvement and provide valuable insights into the competitive CrossFit environment.
Set specific goals and measure progress
Establish short-term and long-term goals that are challenging yet attainable. Regularly track your progress, such as personal records (PRs) in workouts and lifts, to monitor your improvement over time.
Embrace a growth mindset
Adopt a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Be open to feedback, learn from setbacks, and maintain a positive attitude even during challenging times. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support and inspire you.
Seek mentorship and coaching
Consider seeking guidance from experienced CrossFit athletes or coaches who can provide personalized feedback, help you refine your skills, and offer insights into the competitive aspect of the sport.
Stay consistent and committed
Becoming a top CrossFit athlete requires consistent dedication and long-term commitment. Be prepared to invest significant time, effort, and perseverance into your training, and understand that progress takes time.
Have your say about the Most Famous CrossFit Athletes
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