Three Southern Highlands Crossfitters aged over 50 are ready to pit their skills against the best in Australia this weekend.
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The three athletes will compete at the National Master League Crossfit Championships on the Gold Coast on September 28 and 29..
The two-day contest draws together the fittest and strongest crossfitters over 35 in Australia.
The trio – from Benton Crossfit Gym in Braemar – all came second in their age and scale divisions in the NSW titles of the Master League crossfit competition in Sydney in July.
Leah Bow, 52, Lesley Ross, 54, and Andrew Mevissen, 53, all qualified in their age groups in the Soldiers division for the national competition.
Workouts facing Leah, Lesley and Andrew will include running, swimming, step ups, leg raises, strongman and strength drills, farmer carries, burpees and barbell work.
Speaking during a final training session at Benton Gym, Ross said she was excited to compete in such a large event.
“This is the first time I’ve been to an event of this scale so I’m nervous but also excited. I’ve been practising all the movements with the Benton coaches so I hope that prepares me for then comp.”
Mevissen said he was also approaching the event with a mixture of trepidation and enthusiasm.
“Once the first event starts, the nerves will die down and I can start to have fun but I’ll certainly be giving it everything I’ve got,” he said.
“The final day of the event is my birthday so I’m hoping a good result will be a nice little gift for myself but it’s also very rewarding to be competing at a big event like this with fellow CrossFitters my own age and with similar skills and strength. The camaraderie is very uplifting and at our age, winning is not as important as having a go, giving it your all and having fun. There are actually quite a few members at Benton Crossfit over 35 so it’s a very supportive environment in which to train.”
Benton Crossfit coach, Jess Cooper, said all three athletes had been training hard in the lead up to the competition.
“It’s so satisfying and inspiring to see our master members over 35 so eager to excel at this sport and rise to the level of the national championships,” she said.
“They are all keen to better themselves and go beyond their comfort zone. I’ve been working with them to prepare for the masters contest and they have put their heart and soul on the line every time in a bid to be as ready as possible. I’m very proud of them.”
