Over on the Teams side of the fence, Gorilla Health had representation across both Elite Mens and Womens fields, across an awesome FOUR total teams.
Team Awaside took out an impressive 3rd place finish with four top 5 placings across the 7 events. Gorilla Health athlete Alexandra Bulic featured strongly across Saturday’s programming, loving the outdoor workout Event 3:
"Favourite event was definitely event 3 - John Cleary Shuffle for sure! Fun, fast and in the sun!
"DUCC was a great first experience in that sort of elite scene, it really helped me work out what I’m like as an athlete under pressure and where I’m at as an athlete and what I need to work on.
"For the 2023 season I’m very excited about the season as a whole, I’m going to be going as a team this year and very excited to see how that goes and all the things I’m going to learn- not only as a group, but about myself as an athlete. It's all about the journey!"
Also in the women’s field, team Triple Threat lead by Gorilla Health athlete Tylah McGeary, were praised for great performances across the weekend including a top 5 finish in Event 5. In a field featuring a huge number of Games level athletes, Triple Threat punched well above their weight in securing an 11th overall placing in the Championship.
“My favourite event was the snatch ladder! I hit a PB of 77.5kgs - the week before I could only snatch 72.5kgs. That event made me cry after I hit that 77.5kg weight - I was so proud!
We were proud of you too, Ty!
“It was the best weekend! The comp was run so professionally, and we all felt like proper athletes. No one was treated any different even though we were around some really high-level athletes. It was such a great experience.
“I am feeling pumped for season 2023. I can’t wait to continue working on my weaknesses and prepare for the Open”
From the CrossFit CQ stable, Gorilla Health athletes Jake Standen and Darcy Hancock teamed up with long-time friend of GH, Brad Spreadborough. Batman, Robin & JJ finished strong after a conservative start, locking up a 5th place overall with an event win in the final 16.7 trio workout. Darcy Hancock took the opportunity on Saturday night to quietly remind the Oceania field of his 2022 Torian Pro event win, and was the first man on the event floor to quietly clear every snatch weight in the Regionals 12.5 ladder.
Captain Jake Standen reflected on the DUC:
"It was a really fun weekend, always good to throw down with Darcy and this time with Brad as well, as a team on the big stage.
"We had a couple of hiccups, but also heaps of fun. We all learned a lot about ourselves which is always a good experience when competing. Definitely walking away with a feather in our cap after taking out the event win in that last event! Overall a great event, awesome finish and we’ll be back next year!"
Darcy Hancock was also part of the trio that were Batman, Robin & JJ:
"It was great to compete with the boys – Jake & Brad- from CrossFit CQ at the Down Under Championships at Wollongong as a team of 3. (We) Didn’t have any expectations as a team heading down there; started a little slow on day one, but built up momentum over the course of the weekend. Ended up finishing fifth which we’re pretty happy with!
"A well-run comp, was heaps of fun, to compete against a lot of boys we wouldn’t usually get a chance to compete against. Time for a rest now, then getting ready to gear up for the 2023 season”
Last but not least, Underway Full Senders made a splash at the DUC, despite making a slightly late entrance to the very first event – what happened there Ben?
"We nearly missed our start for Event 1. We honestly just thought we were in the next heat and realised with about 30 seconds to go before the heat start - so that definitely got the heart going. But after that, we double checked the heat lists and made sure we had a watch with us in the warm up area!"
Gorilla Health athlete Ben Newland joined fellow Underway teammates Jack Clark and Lucas O’Brien including five top event finishes in an stacked field of international and Games athletes. Ben Newland also had a stand out performance in the Event 5 snatch ladder, clearing all bars and later joining Ricky Gerard and Chandler Smith on the added 140kg bar for an encore lift.
"Looking back on the weekend the boys and I were stoked. We approached each event, one at a time, focused on having fun and enjoying being out there as much as possible and I think we definitely did that. We knew we could make the podium but also knew it would also be really tough. So we just took the pressure off and focused on our effort each event and having a good time doing it.
"Going into next year the plan is we're all going individual in the Season but the goal is definitely to have us all qualify and have as much fun doing it as possible"
Images in this post used with thanks to Anthony Rogers and Mike Salway Photography.
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Within the Elite Individual fields, Christina Livaditakis and Carrie Freestone took the floor in the Women’s division; with Rob Watt in the Individual Mens.
“The Down Under Championships was one of, if not, my favourite competitions that I’ve ever done- I loved all of it. It was pretty cool for me to compete in such a high level comp in Australia, I normally compete in semifinals in Africa (for the Games season).
“My favourite part… it’s hard to choose. Being able to learn about myself as a competitor, and to find holes in my game, for me is the most important part of my journey at the moment.
“The part that got me feeling the best was definitely Event 5, the Snatch ladder. It was so cool to win that event, and also PR my snatch by 5.5kg in a stadium filled with people!
“I’m super excited for the season ahead, I’ve got huge goals and I’m excited to see where the sport will take me”
Event Finishes:
Overall – 3rd | Events: 10th- 22nd - 2nd - 6th - 1st - 1st - 8th
Keep up with Chris over on IG www.instagram.com/christinalivaditakis/
Carrie Freestone also had a brilliant performance, particularly considering a shortened preparation phase, due to late DUC qualification via the Elite Fitness League only 6 weeks prior. Even as the most… ‘life-experienced’ female athlete in field (we don’t dare call her old!), Carrie’s tenacity and grit mean that age is no barrier for elite performance, as she secured a 22nd overall finish at the Championship this year.
"As someone who was a little last minute in deciding to compete after getting a wild card…I’m so glad I went. It was a great off-season comp for me. I didn’t prepare specifically for this event and just went in to see where I’m at and why needs work. The event was really organised and it was great to catch up with so many Gorilla athletes from around the country.
"(My favourite event was) The weight vest one. I think the WOD made me realise my potential, and that I can be competitive at the semifinal level. I came in off the run 2nd last and finished my heat in 2nd place and 11th overall. I was 5 minutes faster than when I tested it in training too!
"Heading into Season 2023 I'm feeling motivated- I’m back into regular programming with a big focus on strength and a few skill gaps. Plenty of work to do before quarterfinals / age groups but excited to put my head down and work"
Event Finishes
Overall - 22nd | Events: 18th - 18th- 18th - 11th - 24th - 23rd - 22nd
Catch Carrie over on IG www.instagram.com/cazzafree/
Newcomer to Team Gorilla Health, but certainly a veteran by CrossFit standards, Rob Watt returned to the Individual Mens field at DUC, following several seasons having focused on team competition. Rob is no stranger to high level competitive CrossFit, having been around since 2014, including a 2017 Games appearance with Team Functional Strength CrossFit. The 2023 season marks his return to focus on individual competition, with the DUC a first chance to gauge his progress against a star studded Oceania Mens field.
"This is probably the first time I’ve actually been able to soak it all in with no pressure, where I’m at in life other things have taken priority for a while, I still love competing and I’m always going try my hardest to be competitive, but I’m also happy with where I’m at. I didn’t place where I wanted, but probably placed where I deserved. But it was nice being able to take a moment, look around and find people I knew in the crowd and enjoy every moment of being on the floor.
"The events were really fun, not sure if there wasn't much in my wheelhouse or if I was too cooked for it - but that was all part of the challenge! DUC organisers have really outdone themselves with how they ran the comp this year, it was a whole other level.
Competing in a competition like DUC it does motivate you, win or lose, everyone leaves knowing what they need to work on, and the same for a lot of people watching.
Post event this is sorest I’ve ever been from a comp- EVER. Even two weeks later I swear I’m still feeling it! Realising you're the old boy in the field kind of snuck up out of nowhere too, but I'll try to hang around for as long as I can"
Event Finishes:
Overall - 22nd | Events: 10th- 18th- 28th - 20th- 15th - 23rd - 16th
Follow Rob's season progress on IG - www.instagram.com/robwattch/
Stay tuned for our Elite Team athlete wrap in our next post!
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In the Elite Indi Womens division, Gorilla Health was represented by our most experienced (definitely not ‘oldest’!) team member – Carrie Freestone – and also our youngest- emerging teen power house, Chloe Saliba.
Carrie Freestone – Elite Indi Women 1st Place
“I’m in off season mode with a focus on gaining strength for the 2023 season, and not so much on conditioning – so I surprised myself with where I am (fitness-wise)
“One of my goals was to be a role model and mentor to the younger athletes hitting their first indi comp this weekend. I made sure to make all the girls feel welcome and supported - I hope I succeeded! Competing alongside Chloe, a future athlete in the sport - taking on the Indi female field when she could have competed in the teens division was a huge highlight!
Chloe Saliba – Elite Indi Women 4th Place
“I choose to compete in the elite womens individual category to expose myself to a higher level of open womens competition and more difficult programming that goes along with it. I thought the workouts was broad, interesting and well balanced…painful but I still enjoyed the events!
“I came away from the weekend with a boost of motivation in that the workouts were difficult but not beyond me”
Chloe also secured the Young Achiever Award for her outstanding performance in the Elite Womens Division.
Team Gorilla Health was strongly represented in the Mens field also, with Jake Standen and Darcy Hancock hitting in the floor in the Elite Indi Mens division. Both gents have already secured a DUCC place in the Teams division, alongside friend of the GH family, Brad Spreadborough.
Jake Standen – Elite Indi Mens 1st Place
“Quick recap – the EFL was a really good mix up alongside Darcy Hancock – a fellow Gorilla health athlete. It’s always good pushing alongside him to push both of our limits and he’s strong as heck as always!
“The more we compete against each other, the better we both get in the long run. Great weekend for us both and really happy with the outcome”
Darcy Hancock – Elite Indi Mens 2nd Place
"Competed at the EFL in the Elite Mens Indi division this past weekend at CrossFit CQ, which is where both Jake (Standen) and I train out of fulltime.
"We had a total of six workouts over the two days, it was a tough competition, but really fun though. I came out second behind Jake again. Definitely some improvements that can be made, and some new things to keep building on approaching the new season ahead."
Gorilla Health is a long-term supporter of the Elite Fitness League and is proud to continue our support for the event in 2022. We’d like to extend our thanks and recognition to CrossFit CQ for hosting another year of this great competition.
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Taking out a total of five event wins over eight scored workouts across three locations, the CQ Boyzz (hey, we didn't pick the team name!) were edged out on the final day of competition by only a single point to CrossFit Harvey Bay. For Standen and Hancock, both top 10 finishers at this year’s Torian Pro, it was a chance to combine forces and work together in a team environment, representing their affiliate CrossFit CQ.
Jake Standen - a perennial Gorilla Health athlete- is one of the most recognizable faces hailing from Central Queensland. Proud Rocky resident, Standen has been a consistent top 100 finisher in Australia since 2018, and finished a career-best 9th at this year’s Torian Pro.
'Darcy and I decided to mix it up and hit the Mixer (in a pairing) on the weekend which was heaps of fun. Sound performances inside the gym which we were happy with – if anything we need to tighten up our surf rescue board practice as we’re both big boys’ he laughed.
'It actually excites me (to get to do more outdoor events) a bit more because there’s stuff outside the gym that we don’t train day to day, and we can work on in the warmer months coming up'
'All in all a super fun comp down in Tannum, happy with our in-gym events and a lot learned from those outside too'.
Darcy Hancock blew onto the scene in 2022 after a stellar Open and Quarterfinals performance, punching his ticket to the Torian Pro. Despite being a relative newcomer to the world of competitive CrossFit, Darcy kept a cool head amongst a tight field to help secure the second placing at the Mixer.
'We competed at the Beachside Mixer, a really fun two-day comp which has both in the gym workouts and a couple of workouts at the beach. Plenty of lessons learned at the beach and room for improvement there'.
'(We) Also got to test out the new Peak 9 shorts which were great! It was good to have a pair of shorts fit the legs comfortably in a big range of workouts'.
One of the Day 1 highlights was the gruelling Demogorgan workout which the boys took out the W in a very tight race against the Hervey Bay contingent.
'The sandbag workout was probably my favourite of the event, really fast paced and a good race between the teams to wrap up the day'.
While Coach Sean O'Neill couldn't be at the Mixer, he had nothing but praise for the CrossFit CQ athletes across the board.
'CFCQ was extremely well represented by all of our athletes competing. We look for pursuit of progression and believe that all of our athletes acheived exactly that across the weekend.
'Credit to Reede and CrossFit Tannum Sands for hosting a fantastic event, and putting together a holistic test for the competitors. And shout out to Gorilla Health for their constant support of grassroots Crossfit as too - you don't make Games without grassroots first'.
Gorilla Health are proud sponsors of the Beachside Mixer and would like to thank CrossFit Tannum Sands for hosting a great competition over another year.
]]>Taking out the maiden title in the 15-16 Girls division, Chloe Saliba of Coast CrossFit was excited to take part in the premier competition for Teens, in her backyard of the Sunshine Coast.
'I thought it's awesome that a local gym decided to run just a teen dedicated competition. I wish they had something like this every weekend!'
Chloe, who placed 15th in the Worldwide CrossFit Age Group Quarterfield leaderboard for 2022, also credited the complexity of the event programming as a strength of the event.
'(The) final for the top three from each division and included more technical movements such as ring muscle ups, rope climbs, and bar muscle ups in their to test a wider range of movements which I thought was a great idea.
'For my performances, we went through the workouts and planned strategies for each and I stuck to those so everything went really well. I was so stoked to walk away with the win!'
A special mention to CrossFit Noosa who invested huge resources and time into the development of the first Teens Invitational competition. Gorilla Health are proud to support the developemnt of future CrossFit champions, and are excited for next year's event.
]]>It might be the off season for most of the CrossFit community, but the local comp season is in full swing. We headed to CrossFit 4055 with Gorilla Health Athletes James Thomas and Tylah McGeary, both contending as RX individuals in the second annual Fittest in the Yard.
‘(I’d) originally signed up to get more exposure competing as an individual, having previously competed mainly on teams in the past. It was probably one of my first competitions where I didn't have crazy expectations, just tried to enjoy the day.
Final Event Ranking: 5th
Highest Event Placing: 5th
To follow & support more of James’ season head over to Instagram
Tylah McGeary, newly joining Team Gorilla Health out of CrossFit Raw Iron for 2022, also had a great performance for her first competition of the season. The women’s RX field featured a number of heavy hitters making it the perfect opportunity test her game against some of the most experienced heads in the region.
'I was quite nervous but excited heading into the day as my first ever individual comp, so I didn't know what to expect but wanted to do the best that I could! Overall, my cardio fitness has improved alot which I think showed over the weekend so I'm really happy with that.
'My favourite and proudest achievement was my performance in the snatch workout. Ended up taking the win in my heat so really proud of that one.
'I was actually quite happy with my overall performance except I tore my hands! So I think there's the opportunity to go alot further if I can avoid that next time.
'I'm especially grateful for the support by Gorilla Health in the lead up and over the event too. Overall a really great day, and excited for the season ahead.'
Final Ranking: 9th
Highest Event Placing: 6th
To follow & support Ty's season, follow her over on Instagram
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