A veteran of eight CrossFit Games, a three-time Affiliate Cup Champion, and former member of CrossFit Mayhem, James Hobart is a fixture in the sport of CrossFit. That’s why it was a little surprising to learn that he’s not planning on competing in this year’s Games. In fact, some are speculating that he’s retiring from competition all together.
He appeared this week on Road to the Fittest, CrossFit HQ’s YouTube show dedicated to commentary and coverage of the CrossFit Games, to discuss his decision to forgo this year’s event, to — in his own words — “give it one last shot.” He explained to Sean Woodland,
I wanted to focus on other things going on in my life, and that’s been going very well. Thankfully competition in the past, and training, I’ve been blessed with it and it’s been very favorable toward me, so it’s OK to step back.
He cites several other reasons too, including that he wants to concentrate on “being a good boyfriend and a good son” and that he’s simply enjoying his role as coach at Reebok CrossFit One. You can watch the full interview below.
There are some also great tidbits in the interview about what he feels are the biggest changes to the sport since he started competing and his pre-CrossFit career.
Again, Hobart came thirty-third worldwide in the CrossFit Open, but when it came to deciding whether or not he’ll compete, he decided that he would only entertain the idea if he finished in the top 3 in his combined region.
Ultimately, he came in sixth, but he’s still going to be involved in the Games — Woodland said in the video that he’s “transferring to the media side of things” and will be appearing in media and giving commentary throughout the 2017 season.
Featured image via CrossFit® on YouTube.
