Racial Injustice Brought to the Forefront of Invictus Boston Invitational

Ninety degree temperatures couldn’t discourage a small crowd of CrossFit fans from attending the inaugural Invictus Boston Invitational on Saturday afternoon. They were there not only to watch a live, in-person competition but also to show their support and raise awareness for the social and racial injustices that African Americans and other people of color face.

More than a competition: The final standings and the podium positions took a backseat to the cause of the event; organized by Bern Prince, one of CrossFit Invictus Boston’s coaches, the purpose was to bring the community together and raise awareness and money for Campaign Zero.

• According to its website, Campaign Zero, a nonprofit organization, supports the analysis of policing practices across the country, researches effective solutions to end police violence, provides technical assistance for organizers leading police accountability campaigns and the development of model legislation and advocacy to end police violence nationwide.
• Prince concluded the competition by addressing the crowd, talking about his experiences with racism and why hosting a competition in support of the Black Live Matters movement was important.
• All donations were made directly to Campaign Zero, but at the end of the day Prince said it was actually hosting the event and the support it garnered that was what hevalued the most.
• “I want to thank all those who showed love, athletes, sponsors, judges, vendors,and the people that just sent a message through Instagram telling me, telling us that they appreciate what we are doing,” commented Prince. “I know that there is still more work to be done but that day, July 25 on a 90-degree day, people gathered with the firm understanding that black lives matter.”
• Prince hopes to make the event an annual competition and reiterated that they were able to organize this event in a relatively short time and that other gyms could do the same, they just need the right motivation and belief in a cause to do so.

Competition Recap: The actual competition featured three events with nine men and 12 women competing in their respective RX division.

• Invictus’ own Tola Morakinyo won the men’s division thanks in part to two event wins and a second place finish.
• Anthony Franciosi finished in second just five points back of Morakinyo followed by Arnold Sevilla to round out the podium finishers.
• On the female side Sierra Cameron secured her own five -oint victory but in comeback fashion with an event win in the finale.
• Brittany Maready was a last minute sub for an injured Alexys D’Tiole and placed second followed by Collete Monique in third.