The 2010 CrossFit Games

2010 CrossFit Games Finals

United States Qualifiers

International Qualifiers

With the 2011 CrossFit Games season only a few months away, preparation for the Games is heating up. If there is anything we have learned from years past, it’s that previously low-profile athletes will come out of nowhere to challenge CrossFit’s elite.

Last week we covered unknown athletes who have excelled in unsanctioned CrossFit competitions in the United States. Today, we cover a few athletes from Australian and New Zealand who, although mostly unheard of in the broader CrossFit community, are generating buzz at the local level. The heat from down under features an athlete with an 85 second Grace time (as featured on the main site), a jack of all trades, and a team competitor who is stepping up his game.

Jason “Jase” Haywood

Haywood has the Australian affiliates buzzing. He holds an 85 second Grace, Rx’d and unbroken, and deadlifts 605 pounds. Jason is the head coach and director of CrossFit BodyM in New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in a very fitness-oriented family, played football, ran track and field, and got into the fitness industry as a trainer before being introduced to CrossFit three and a half years ago. He has been training himself and others with CrossFit ever since. After missing his spot in the 2010 Games, Haywood has become hungrier than ever to succeed this coming year. He is training his weaknesses and Olympic Lift fluency under fatigue, and working on the mental aspect of CrossFit.

Age: 25 yrs
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 202lbs

Fran: 2:20
Grace: 1:25
FGB: 380
30 muscle ups for time: 3:14
1km row: 3:01

Deadlift: 605lbs
Back squat: 528lbs
Clean and Jerk: 297lbs
Snatch: 198lbs

2010 NSW Sectionals: 4th
2010 Australian Regional Qualifier: 8^th place

Doug Armstrong

Armstrong is a law enforcement officer and owner/head trainer of CrossFit Rocks in Brisbane, Australia. Doug has been training from the 2011 CrossFit Games while balancing his two careers, which he admits leads to some compromises to his diet and training routine. He has twice appeared in the Australasian Regional Qualifier, 2009 and 2010, and placed within the Top 5 at both showings. He’s giving it his best to qualify for the Games this year.

Age: 26 yrs
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 194lbs

Diane: 8:57
Fran: 2:38
Helen: 7:44
Fight Gone Bad: 405
Filthy Fifty: 18:06
5km run: 18:23
400m run: 1:12
30 muscle ups: 4:50

Deadlift: 462lbs
Squat: 330lbs
Over Head Squat: 220lbs
Clean and Jerk: 220lbs
Press: 176lbs
Snatch: 181.5lbs

2009 Australasian Regional Qualifier: 3rd place
2010 Queensland Sectional Qualifier: 1st place
2010 Australasian Regional Qualifier: 5th place 

Darren Ellis

Ellis has been a regular in the Australia Regionals, but has yet to make it to the Games. In his two Regional showings in 2009 and 2010, Ellis placed fourth, this year by just one point. To put it mildly, he’s sick of it. While running his box in New Zealand, aptly named CrossFit New Zealand, he has been working on changing from the guy who does “fairly well” at most things to the guy who excels. Darren trains with experienced Games competitors Tamaryn Venter and Pat Barber, who came in 4th in 2008. He also competed with Tamaryn and Pat on CrossFit New Zealand's 2010 Affiliate Cup team.

Age: 35 yrs
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 178lbs

Diane: 8:00
Fran: 2:44
Helen: 7:30
Fight Gone Bad: 388
Filthy Fifty: 20:30
5k run: 19:23
400m run: 1:11
30 muscle ups for time: 4:00

Deadlift: 396lbs
Squat: 308lbs
Clean and Jerk: 231lbs
Press: 148.5lbs
Snatch: 181.5lbs

2009 Australasian Regional Qualifier: 4^th place
2010 Australasian Regional Qualifier: 4^th place