CrossFitter Chandler Smith is the newest TRAIN PUMA ambassador, joining fellow CrossFit Games athlete Samuel Kwant. That means Smith will collaborate with PUMA on the design of future strength training products PUMA produces. Additionally, PUMA put a financial wager on Smith’s performance at the 2022 Wodapalooza.
The 2022 Wodapalooza contest is held from Jan. 13-16 at Bayfront Park in Miami, FL. Smith is competing in the Elite Male Teams division alongside teammates Noah Ohlsen and Travis Mayer. The trio is part of team “The Boys.” Should they reach the podium following the six events across four days of competition, PUMA will donate $10,000 to the organization of Smith’s choosing.
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[Related: CrossFitter Ricky Garard Withdraws From 2022 Wodapalooza]
According to a press release PUMA shared with BarBend, Chandler’s partnership with the sports apparel company is intended to promote “a more diverse and inclusive future for CrossFit.” Smith is on the CrossFit HQ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council established in February 2021. Smith is one of the Council’s 10 members.
CrossFit HQ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council Members
- Chandler Smith
- Casey Jordan
- Jennifer Hunter-Marshall
- Wylie Belasik
- Athena Perez
- Dillon King
- Amy West
- Shaun Ward
- Erin Comollo
- Mason C. Alberts
Smith has three CrossFit Games appearances (2019-2021). His career-best Games performance came in 2020 when he ranked sixth — on the bubble of earning an invite to the 2020 CrossFit Games Finals at the Ranch in Aromas, CA. However, Smith was invited to test the Finals events that year, including the first person to experience the surprise on the Ranch Loop event, where athletes learned that the course was twice as long only after crossing what they thought was the finish line.
The 2022 CrossFit Open kicks off on Feb. 24, 2022. It will be the eighth consecutive Open Smith competes in — he made his Open debut in 2015. His best Open performance was in 2020, when he ranked 22nd worldwide.
We’ll see if Ohlsen and Mayer can help Smith convert a podium finish at the 2022 Wodapalooza contest to cash in on PUMA’s $10,000 offer. All four days of competition are live-streamed for free on the Loud and Live Sports YouTube channel.
Featured image: @blacksmifff on Instagram