Kaique Cerveny is self-made.
The 2023 CrossFit Games qualifier from Brazil admired other CrossFit athletes and understood what it took to become one of them as a young man.
It required sacrifice, dedication, and long days of hard work – a complete lifestyle shift for someone who was only 17 at the time.
Although this season has presented unexpected challenges for Cerveny, he has chosen to view it as a growth opportunity and a chance to demonstrate resilience.
Some Background
Having grown up in Brazil with no specific sports background, Cerveny nonetheless loved exercise and training, heading to the gym regularly, just for fun, as early as 11 years old.
A natural athlete, he continued skateboarding and training in the gym until one day, when things began to come into focus. In his late teens, he started paying attention to the CrossFit Games and found himself looking up to Noah Ohlsen. At that time, his personal trainer noticed similarities between the two athletes and sensed a drive in Cerveny.
- “When I started to do some CrossFit exercises, I felt great. I loved running and weightlifting. I was strong, and I loved squats. So I started to grow up fast in the process,” Cerveny told Morning Chalk Up.
As Cerveny became a better athlete, he saw a clear path ahead and a way to get there. While he hadn’t yet inked any sponsorship deals or competed at a high level, he began introducing himself as a professional athlete and voicing his dream.
The teenager completely overhauled his life.
“If I want to be one of them, I need to do things differently,” he said.
The Brazilian CrossFit Community
Cerveny has received immense support from the Brazilian community over the years, particularly at the Copa Sur.
He has competed in the event for four years, finishing first in 2023.
- “I’m supposed to say it’s my favorite event because I’m Brazilian. But it is. The people are on fire. They’re cheering more, and it feels like they’re there, the whole time, with the athletes,” Cerveny said.
According to Cerveny, the crowd at Copa Sur is unlike any other. Competing on his home turf is genuinely something special.
- “The energy is electric. This is why I love to compete there,” he said.
Cerveny shared that, over four years of competition, two “highlights” stand out to him distinctly.
The first was his victory in 2023. He beat out Kalyan Souza and Guilherme Malheiros, who finished in second and third place, respectively. With the win, he qualified for the 2023 CrossFit Games.
The second memory that has stayed with him is his withdrawal after the first workout in 2022.
For a month leading up to the event, he battled back pain. He struggled with his sciatic nerve and was unable to deadlift, squat, or lift heavy weights. There was little he could do without experiencing pain.
However, he attributes this withdrawal to his growth as an athlete and considers it a phase in his life that fostered resilience.
- “This forced me to enjoy the journey. Because in that 2022 season, I (only) cared about winning, and trying to be the very best. I couldn’t enjoy it. This reminded me that I need to enjoy what I’m doing and appreciate the people around me,” Cerveny said.
“So after that,” Cerveny said, “2023 was an amazing season because I actually enjoyed it. And I came back way stronger.”
- “We just learn when we don’t win,” Cerveny said.
Kaique Cerveny’s 2025 Season
As the 2025 CrossFit Open approached, Cerveny felt stronger than ever. As a newly signed Adidas athlete, he had been training to improve his weaknesses. He was motivated to take on the season and ultimately secure his place again at the CrossFit Games in August.
After workout 25.1, however, he fell ill, spent four days in bed, and couldn’t train. He lost four kilos of body weight and faced a significant setback. Throughout it all, he attempted the remaining workouts of the Open but was unable to perform at his full capacity due to his ongoing illness.
While this would be a devastating turn for many competitors, Cerveny chose to view the situation differently, much like he did in 2023.
- “Even though I put a lot of pressure on myself and my career, I’m calm because I have people who love and support me. (I have) wonderful brands that are with me on this journey. I didn’t see this as a bad thing. I think that everything that happens in our lives is not by chance, so I accepted that this is a better plan for me,” Cerveny said.
He informed us that his plan is still in progress. He undertook the World Fitness Project qualifiers while recovering, and although he didn’t qualify, he aims to complete the next ones that could secure a spot on the roster for WFP’s second event in Phoenix.
- “After 10 years of competing, I learned to be more resilient. This time will be no different. I believe each step is an opportunity to be even more focused and seek even greater things.” Cerveny said.
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Featured Image: Lydia Stadtheower
