With just two more weeks left in the 2018 CrossFit Open, the worldwide Leaderboard has started to settle into place with some very familiar names toward the top. The first three weeks of this year’s Open featured plenty of new movements — including heavy usage of dumbbells and 800 double-unders in 18.3 — and 18.4 will once again put athletes through a grueling test of fitness. And for the first time ever, we’re hitting an original CrossFit benchmark workout AND testing handstand walks.
CrossFit Open Workout 18.4 is:
The following for time with a 9 minute time cap:
21-15-9
Deadlifts (225/155)
Handstand Push-ups
then
21-15-9
Deadlifts (315/205)
50 Foot Handstand Walks (25 feet down, 25 feet back)
As always, athletes start on a 3, 2, 1 countdown before beginning the workout.
As usual, athletes registered for the Open will have until Monday at 5pm PST to submit their scores online.
Shortly after Castro’s announcement, the customary workout head-to-head kicked off with Games veterans the USA’s Scott Panchik (6th at last year’s Reebok CrossFit Games) and Iceland’s Björgvin K. Guðmundsson (5th at last year’s Games) battling it out for an early spot on the leaderboard. Interestingly enough, Panchik has the record for appearances in Open announcement events.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgWoEHbjCrI
There was plenty of speculation online after Dave Castro released an early photo of the night’s announcement setup. Some said it looked like there wouldn’t be heavy use of the rig located toward the back of the venue, while others claimed a hint of chalk on the pull-up bars suggested otherwise.
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As usual, it was pure conjecture of the fittest variety. With a new movement to the Open — handstand walks — we’re excited to see how the second couplet separates the great from the just pretty good.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgWxC8-ldRq
What do you think of CrossFit Open Workout 18.4? Are you looking forward to tackling it, or dreading the test? Let us know in the comments below! And with only one week remaining in the 2018 CrossFit Open, which movements do you still want to see most?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgHm1FijsNC
Featured image: @scottpanchik on Instagram