Earlier today, CrossFit, Inc. announced four more qualifiers for the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games in a press release, which now brings the total number of events that have been released to 10 (for the 2019 CrossFit Games). Note, one event below is for the 2020 CrossFit Games.
The latest four qualifiers are set to take place in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, and Argentina. Within the press release, Greg Glassman, CrossFit’s Founder states, “Each one exists to serve its community, not to make a quick buck. This is perfectly consistent with our vision for CrossFit competitions.”
In previous articles that covered all of the changes for the 2019 CrossFit Games, we reported that CrossFit, Inc. has alluded to there being a total of 16 Games Qualifiers, so the latest four have now brought the total past the halfway point for 2019.
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Below, we’ve included the four latest qualifiers, along with information that was included in the press release.
CrossFit Strength In Depth
In the press release, Ollie Mansbridge, owner of CrossFit Bath and director of the CrossFit Strength in Depth competition said, “For us, fitness is not a lonely pursuit. It is an inherently social and community-based endeavor.”
- Projected Date: February 2019
The CrossFit Italian Showdown
The CrossFit Italian Showdown appears to be taking place in the spring with online qualification starting April 26, 2019. It’s also noted in the press release that there will be no team portion for this competition.
- Projected Date: N/A (Online Qualifying Starts April 2019)
The CrossFit Lowlands Showdown
This event was founded in 2010 and attracts athletes from all across Europe. From the press release, CrossFit, Inc. states that the final event will take place in May 2019.
- Projected Date: May 2019
The SouthFit CrossFit Challenge
This event is based in Latin America and had grown substantially since its origination in 2013. In the press release, they write this event will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina and will take place between November 30th—December 2nd for the 2020 CrossFit Games.
Project Date: November/December 2019
2019 CrossFit Games Qualifier Calendar
As of right now, we have a decent idea of the timeline of qualifiers that have been released so far. Remember, anything below could be subject to change and these are the dates that have been provided in prior press releases.
1. Dubai Championships — December 2018
2. Wodapalooza – January 2019
3. CrossFit Fittest In Capetown — February 2019
4. CrossFit Strength In Depth — February 2019
5. CrossFit French Throwdown — April 2019
6. Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge — April 2019
7. The CrossFit Italian Showdown — April 2019
8. Brazil CrossFit Championship — May 2019
9. The CrossFit Lowlands Throwdown — May 2019
10. Granite Games — June 2019
*The SouthFit CrossFit Challenge — November 2020
Additional CrossFit Games Seeding Information
In addition to the latest four CrossFit Games qualifiers, CrossFit, Inc. also released additional information for seeding at the 2019 CrossFit Games. CrossFit, Inc states,
“The 2019 Games will open with elimination events to qualify 10 competitors for the finals later in the week. Overall competitor seeding at the Games will be determined by athletes’ scores in the 2019 worldwide CrossFit Open. Athletes who do not participate in the Open (and thus do not receive an Open score) will receive the lowest seeding and will compete in the first qualifying heats at the 2019 Games. Higher seeded athletes will compete in later heats.
Any athlete who qualifies for the Games as a national champion or with a top-twenty placement in the 2019 Open can improve their seeding and possibly qualify for a bye out of the first qualifying elimination round by winning a sanctioned event, regardless of whether that sanctioned event occurs before or after the Open in the 2019 competitive season.”
Why This Matters
The above paragraph has created an interesting conversation in the CrossFit community, as it has somewhat restructured details that had already been released for the 2019 Games. In earlier Games changes announcements and in an early September report, Glassman alluded to an elimination style format that would grant qualifier winners (plus the top 20 Open finishers) a slight advantage in seeding, and potentially a bye/opportunity to go last.
Yet, now it appears everyone needs to compete in the Open regardless of winning a qualifier to improve their placing. With this latest announcement further expanding on previous information, it’s going to be interesting to learn the final details for the 2019 CrossFit Games when the official rulebook is released.
Feature image from @crossfitgames Instagram page.
