Move Fast and Lift Heavy: 5 of Our Favorite CrossFit Semifinals Moments

With the first weekend of the CrossFit Semifinals just days away, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. We’re analyzing Open and Quarterfinals data, looking back at events from previous years, and trying to wrap our heads around what will be a tense and exciting competition. 

With a large field of athletes and events spread across seven regions and three weekends, we’re sure to see plenty of epic and downright historic performances from some of the most elite athletes on Earth. 

To prep fans for what’s to come, we’re looking back at some of our favorite moments from the recent CrossFit Semifinals. Check out our choices below.

The 81-Point Comeback 

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Will Moorad was 80 points out of the fifth and final qualifying spot heading into the last event of the 2022 Syndicate Crown. In short, this was a nearly impossible deficit to overcome. 

That final workout — “King Kong 2.0” — had a 10-minute time cap and consisted of three rounds of ring muscle-ups, deficit handstand push-ups, sandbag-to-shoulders, and squat snatches. 

All eyes were on Tudor Magda and Matt Poulin, who were in fifth and sixth place, respectively, after five events. It was assumed that one of them would earn that final qualifying spot. 

Moorad, on the other hand, was so far back in the overall standings that he didn’t even appear on camera during the event. Still, that didn’t stop him from sneaking in ahead of everyone and pulling off the shocking event win with a time of 5:43. 

Not only that, but Moorad earned his way to his third appearance at the CrossFit Games, making up an 81-point deficit to beat young gun James Sprague by a single point, securing the final 2022 qualification. At that year’s Games, Moorad took 22nd place, securing an event win in the “Echo Press” along the way. 

Sprague returned to competitive CrossFit in 2023. He earned a spot at the Games, finishing in 25th place. 

A New Time to Beat

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At the West Coast Classic in 2021, athletes re-tested a workout from 2016 called the Snatch Ladder (which will be repeated as Individual Event 5 at the 2024 Semifinals.) 

The men’s weight started at 185 pounds, with the athletes completing 10 squat snatches. They then continued with descending reps (10-8-6-4-2) and a heavier barbell, ending with two squat snatches at 265 pounds. 

Mat Fraser won the event with a time of 6:05 in 2016, but in 2021, Tola Morakinyo bested that time by 16 seconds. (And that was with a failed touch-and-go on the final two reps at 265.) His finishing time was 5:49 — if he held onto the second rep initially, he could’ve finished around 5:20.  

Can anyone beat Morakinyo this year? And if so, who?

A Heavy Snatch in Pasadena 

[Related: Your Complete Guide to Mastering the Snatch]

During Workout 4 at the 2023 North America West Semifinal, spectators got to see a memorable max lift. With a six-minute time cap, athletes had to complete an 800-meter run on the Assault Runner, followed by a one-rep-max snatch in the remaining time. 

The Semifinals fields were packed with heavy lifters, and the crowds remained on their feet throughout the event as it played out around the world. 

The heaviest lifts on both the men’s and the women’s sides came out of the North America West Region. Rookie Hannah Black snatched 215 pounds and former teen champion Tudor Magda snatched 325 pounds to win the event, bringing the crowd to its feet as they fought against the massive barbell.

High-Skill Savants

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In 2023, the sixth of seven workouts for the Individuals involved several high-skill movements, including handstand walk pirouettes, legless rope climbs, and wall-facing handstand push-ups. 

Athletes who mastered these skills showcased them with impressive finishing times and loud reactions from fans, while many of the less adept failed to even complete some of the movements.

Fans love watching Danielle Brandon walk on her hands, and she didn’t disappoint. “DB” did what DB does, taking the win for the women at the North America East Semifinal — and for women worldwide — at 10:39. She was followed by Laura Horvath, who posted a 10:40 result. 

The event had one remaining dramatic flair, though. Alexis Raptis, known for her handstand push-up prowess, finished in fourth place at the North America East Semifinal. 

While on one of her legless rope climbs, Raptis was called for a no-rep by her judge mid-climb, only to stop, shift momentum mid-air, correct it, and carry on. The judge reversed the call on the spot. The announcers were impressed and the fans stunned.

Another Panchik Joins the Ranks 

[Related: 2024 CrossFit Semifinals — Individual and Team Workouts Released]

At the 2022 Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Classic (the MACC), five spots were available for the men and women to qualify for the CrossFit Games. 

By this point, Saxon Panchik had competed in the CrossFit Games four times, while his older brother Scott having competed nine times. Heading into the final event, Saxon’s twin brother, Spencer, needed to gain 28 points on Tyler Christophel to take the final spot. 

He was able to do that and then some, earning 58 points. With his twin brother winning the MACC overall, Spencer took the fifth spot, finally earning his place to compete in Madison, completing the Panchik trio. 

Featured image: Ava Kitzi