On January 5, after more than seven years battling cancer, four-time CrossFit Games champion Will Powell passed away.
Remind Me
Powell was a mainstay in the Masters CrossFit Games divisions for a decade, winning four titles along the way.
- He won the men’s 50-54-year-old division in 2014 and 2015, the 55-59-year-old division in 2016, and the 60-64-year-old division in 2021.
- Powell’s last CrossFit Games appearance was in 2022, five years into his battle with lung cancer. At the age of 62, he placed fifth.
- In 2023, Powell underwent yet another cancer surgery followed by chemotherapy and still went on to compete one last time in the 2024 CrossFit Open.
While the community mourns a CrossFit legend, we had the chance to catch up with a few of his fellow competitors and close friends to share their thoughts on the legacy Powell will leave in the sport and the impact he had on them.
What They’re Saying
Everyone who competed against Powell described him the same way: humble, genuine, and a kind person who made a lasting impact on everyone he met.
- “He had a quick laugh, was humble, and did not take himself too seriously…Will was the epitome of down to earth, despite his accomplishments,” Dave Hardie, a close friend and fellow CrossFit athlete, said.
Four-time Masters Games competitor Del Lafountain described Powell this way: “Will was larger than life. His demeanor was unlike anyone I’ve ever competed with. His genuine care for those around him was always evident.”
- Carl Giuffre, who placed second to Powell at the 2021 Games, added: “Will was my inspiration to go to the Games. I have known him since 2012, and when I finally competed against him in 2019, I was shocked at how humble he was. He was the most gracious and humble competitor I ever had the pleasure of competing against. I miss him a lot.”
Those who competed with Powell also remembered how dominant he was on the competition floor year after year.
One memory that stands out for Lafountain came at the 2015 CrossFit Games during a workout with running and snatches.
- “I remember positioning myself so I could watch him and try to keep pace,” Lafountain said. “It was mind-boggling to see how he looked so slow and controlled yet moved so incredibly fast. He had this innate ability to find and maintain the perfect speed, and he always knew exactly what that speed was. He was exceptional at it. The great ones make it look easy, and Will was the best there ever was.”
David Gantz, who competed against Powell at the Games from 2014 to 2017, added: “The 2015 Games were the peak of Will Powell.”
- “He easily took first and won five of seven events,” Gantz said. “Most of those events he was so far ahead of everyone he just coasted at the end of the event to save energy. He was so incredibly strong that year I believe Will would’ve won the 60-plus division as well.”
And all of his fellow competitors remembered that time in 2017 when Powell almost drowned in Lake Monona in Madison, WI, and was saved by fellow competitor Robert Caslin.
- “He was way out in the lake and literally started drowning. Fortunately, the extremely strong, big Bob Caslin was immediately next to Will, performed heroically, and held Will up, who was screaming for a kayak far away,” Gantz said. “The kayak arrived and the guy paddled to shore with Will half drowned hanging onto the kayak. Will then jogged the 1.5 miles to finish last in that event. We almost lost Will that day in Madison.”
- “Will was never a great swimmer, and that’s the year he had a large tumor in his lung,” Hardie added. “Will almost drowned…but he disputed that later, laughing, as he claimed he just wanted to rest and that Bob [Caslin] wanted to get out of the water as badly as he did.”
But most of all, those who knew Powell will remember how he made them feel.
- “When you lined up against him, you knew you were likely going to get smashed. But after the event, even if you felt dejected, you’d have a conversation with Will, and by the time it was over, you felt like you had won the workout. He just had a remarkable ability to make you feel good about yourself,” Lafountain said.
For Gantz, it goes all the way back to 2014 when he was a rookie and Powell was a veteran.
- “It was very difficult and embarrassing for me as I struggled in last place from Day 1. In the final event, I was [still] in last place and he was [in first]. He treated me not as a scrub but as an equal, which amazed me,” Gantz remembered.
The two went on to become great friends, frequently chatting on the phone. It was a friendship that lasted until Powell’s passing.
- “Our final call was on October 24 [2024]. It was an incredibly difficult call because, at that point, he said, ‘Dave, I’m weak now. There is nothing I can do to inspire others. The cancer has taken over. There is nothing more I can do. I need a miracle.’ And then we wept on the phone,” Gantz said.
Gathering himself, Gantz replied: “Will, You will absolutely still inspire people. Your ability to inspire many, thousands, goes way beyond your former physical abilities […] You are a huge inspiration to thousands because of the example of a great man that you are.”
Rest in peace, Will Powell — you will be missed.
Featured image: @williampowell39 / Instagram
