A group of fitness fanatics have just sealed qualification for one of the world’s largest sporting contests, and they’re based on Yas Island.
Crossfit Yas, part of Vogue Fitness in Yas Marina, recently competed in Copenhagen for the regional round of CrossFit Games, an international competition that tests athletes to their limits in what’s billed as the ‘sport of fitness’. The six-strong team took second place overall, guaranteeing its spot at the finals of CrossFit Games in California on 21st July.
Thirty teams from Europe, Africa and the Middle East took part in the regional competition – known as the Meridian Regional – to compete for one of the five available spots.
Patrick Hegarty, one of the CrossFit Yas’ coaches, couldn’t be more proud: “This team is unbelievable. The cohesion, effort and mental focus of these guys is phenomenal. They deserve to be competing with the best 40 teams in the world this July.”
The Meridian Regional saw seven events over three days. There are eight regionals with the best five teams from each going to the CrossFit Games. Patrick explains that for CrossFit Yas to reach this stage really puts Abu Dhabi on the map.
“People are taking note of Abu Dhabi and what we do here,” he says. “We are number one in Africa and now second overall in the Meridian region. It’s a great achievement so far, but there’s still more work to be done.”
Patrick, along with fellow coach Billy Graham, will return to Abu Dhabi with the CrossFit team – made up of Antony Monks, Elliot Simmonds, Ben Mcannis-Enteman, Jamie Greene, Tammi Robinson and Sabine Whitfield – to start training straight away.
