2024 CrossFit Games Oceania Semifinals Day 1 Recap: Maddie Sturt and Ricky Garard on Top at the Torian Pro
The sun was bright in the Brisbane sky as Day 1 dawned at the Oceania Semifinal by Torian Pro in Australia.
The individual men and women took on one event today, and two of the pre-competition favorites did what they needed to head into the weekend in the driver’s seat. To refresh your memory, here’s what athletes had to contend with in the first event:
5 rounds for time:
- 800-meter run
- 10 clean and jerks
Time cap: 30 minutes
Men: 185 pounds
Women: 125 pounds
[Related: 2024 CrossFit Games Oceania Semifinal Results and Leaderboard]
Similar to last week, athletes’ barbells were arranged in a large square at the center of the competition floor. This time, though, the 800-meter running course was a more traditional CrossFit loop outside the arena, through a parking lot and back in, as opposed to the Hyrox-style corrals we saw elsewhere.
Women’s Division
All eyes were on Maddie Sturt as she surged to victory in Event 1. Sturt, a four-time Games veteran, looked poised and in control throughout this grueling test.
Battling back and forth throughout the event, Sturt and rookie Michelle Hayes entered the Pat Rafter Arena side-by-side after their final run. However, Sturt’s quick singles with the barbell won out and she took the event win and 100 points.
After narrowly missing out on a Games spot in 2022 and 2023, Sturt is cementing her position on the top of the leaderboard early. In her post-event interview, Sturt said:
- “I’m stoked with that event win, but we’re only one (event) in, five to go. My game plan was to do my best and to qualify for the Games, and that hasn’t changed.”
In second place, Hayes held a steady pace on her runs, making them look almost restful with her effortless running style.
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Coming in third was fan-favorite Grace Walton, who spent most of the event sitting on Sturt’s heels.
- After narrowly missing out on a Games spot last year, Walton is gunning for a top-four spot and a ticket to the Games.
Fourth place went to Australia’s Hayley Adams, another Semifinals rookie, who pushed the pace and took an early lead in the event. Can she continue this impressive form moving into Day 2?
Katelin Van Zyl rounded out the top five, a legitimate contender and pre-competition favorite for a top-four finish.
- Special mention goes to 40-year-old Games veteran Alethea Boon. Finishing the event with 30 sec to spare, the crowd roared as she completed her final lift, coming in 32nd place for the event.
Athletes in danger: After Event 1, some top-level athletes in the region are already in danger of missing a Games berth, including Georgia Pryer (19th), Briony Challis (27th), and Julia Hannaford (29th). None can afford another low finish.
Men’s Division
Cruising in for an epic Event 1 win was Ricky Garard.
Miles ahead (one minute and 20 seconds in real time) of runner-up Jay Crouch, Garard appeared to be having great fun during this event. He gave a thumbs-up to the crowd and beckoned them to cheer him on as he finished his final two reps.
Garard planned to set a fast pace early, as he explained in his post-event interview:
- “I knew I could go out hard and hold on. I was hoping it would scare the boys. I think it did. So my plan worked,” he said.
- “I’ve got some redemption to make up, not only for my friends and family but for myself. Last year was a big opportunity that I missed, so I’m going to make up for it this year,” Garard concluded.
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Crouch took second place. He’s looking to bring home his third consecutive Torian Pro crown and is sitting a mere three points behind Garard heading into Day 2.
Third place went to Bayley Martin, pushing for his second consecutive Games appearance this year.
Fourth went to Games hopeful Peter Ellis, while fifth went to Australian CrossFit royalty, Rob Forte.
- At 37 years old, Forte hasn’t competed at the Torian Pro since 2021. Could we see the seven-time Individual Games athlete push for a fourth-place finish and a ticket to the Games in 2024?
Athletes out or in danger: Zac Thomas (39th), who we profiled this week, struggled through his final set of clean and jerks, looking pale and close to fainting. The energy from the crowd helped Thomas complete his final three reps before he collapsed on the ground. Thomas was seen being wheeled off the competition floor on a stretcher. He later posted to Instagram: “Not exactly how I wanted my season to end. Appreciate all the messages. ❤️Onto the next.”
Jake Douglas (40th) had a rough start to the weekend. Can we see Douglas bounce back from here and earn his second trip to the Games?
Fun fact: The men’s competition was a family affair. Two sets of brothers—Jay and Toby Crouch and Bayley and Riley Martin—were on the floor, all competing at the Torian Pro.
Featured image: @thewodlife/ Instagram