CrossFit is one of the fastest growing sports in Spain recently. In 2016 there were 325 boxes (this is how the centers where you train for this discipline are known within the jargon). Now, in March of this year a CMDSport study accounts for a total of 474, 31.5% more than three years ago. Consequently, they have increased in users, who have spent only in the last 12 months from 77,200 to 94,800 according to this same report.
These data can be seen reflected in the professional competition, which this year has had two representatives in the individual category in the CrossFit Games , the most important event at the international level : in the men's team, Alexander Anasagasti (Donostia, 1991) , and in the feminine Sara Alicia Fernánde z (Vigo, 1990), winners of the national Open this season.
Both came from other sports, and ended up by chance of life being professionals in this discipline that combines tests such as weightlifting, gymnastic rings, or athletics among others. In the case of Anasagasti, it was an alternative to tedious gym work. " I was bored of always training weights in the same way. I wanted to have a somewhat more functional body but at the same time keep looking good in the mirror. I didn't like the idea of looking strong and not serving anything, " acknowledges the Basque.
For Fernández, it was an alternative after a long history of knee ligament injuries in his time as a futsal player. " After the third operation the doctors told me that I could not return to play and that I should look for another sport that was not so aggressive with the joints. It was hard and I was even a little depressed . But shortly after the coach who was in charge of the rehabilitation of my knee encouraged me a lot and told me that I had very good physical conditions and that I could not leave the sport because of an injury. He started talking about CrossFit and I was curious. "
A long way to the games
After several years of training, they have become the biggest references in this sport nationwide. After their last experience at the CrossFit Games held this year in Madison, Wisconsin (USA) between August 1 and 4, both return with a bittersweet feeling for having lasted little in competition, but with much learned in the face of the coming seasons . " We were brief. No one likes to compete one or two days in the Games . It has been an unforgettable experience in which earning the right to live it is not an easy task at all," said the Basque, who was able to overcome the first cut but fell in the second. " You have to keep in mind that you are competing against the best in the world , and from there, regardless of the position, you will always get something positive, " adds the Galician, optimistic despite falling to the first change.
The two have a very similar view of the fame created around the CrossFit and the injuries it can cause. "He has more things to do for your health than against . No one should be afraid of him," says Alexander. "It is true that you see some boxes in which you work very sharply and that project that image abroad. But doing it the right way, I think it is a very complete sport and that does not have to cause injuries ." la viguesa
Future Olympic sport?
Despite competing with the best in the world, none of them live solely on this and combine their work as athletes with another as coaches. "Unless you are a world champion, it is unfeasible to live from this, as in the vast majority of minority sports . We do not earn much with this, it is a sacrifice and a personal whim," says the Donostierra. For Sara Fernández, focusing on the preparation for the Games has even meant a break with her partner. "Stress and giving everything to achieve your dream creates problems and cracks in your personal life. I have been through a complicated emotional situation in recent weeks."
After the incursion in the next Olympic Games of disciplines such as skateboarding or surfing, they would like to see CrossFit could end up being part of the most important sporting event in the world. " In the competitions you live like an Olympics because of the way they organize it and the environment. But for now I see it very difficult for it to be an Olympic sport because it is not federated," Sara acknowledges. "Moving this sport to an Olympics would mean establishing a definition of exactly what CrossFit is. I don't think the Olympic Committee is interested in this but I would love to have my sport in the Olympic Games," reflects Anasagasti, more optimistic and with some hope. for fighting in the future for a medal.
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