The 2016 CrossFit Games was the tenth annual edition of the CrossFit Games, an international fitness competition organized by CrossFit, Inc. The event served as the culmination of the CrossFit season, following a global online qualifier (the Open) and a series of regional competitions.
Dates and Venue The main competition took place from July 19 to July 24, 2016. The primary venue for the Games was the StubHub Center (now Dignity Health Sports Park) in Carson, California, United States. Some preliminary and specialized events were also held at The Ranch in Aromas, California, a historic site for earlier CrossFit Games.
Competition Format The Games featured competitions in three main categories: Individual Men, Individual Women, and Team. Athletes qualified through a multi-stage process, beginning with the worldwide CrossFit Open, followed by nine regional competitions across different geographic areas. The Games itself consisted of a diverse series of workouts, or "events," designed to test athletes' fitness across ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.
Notable Events and Challenges The 2016 Games were recognized for their demanding and varied programming, which included elements designed to challenge athletes in unexpected ways. Key events included:
- The Ranch events: Several events were held at The Ranch, often featuring unique equipment, terrain, and challenges reminiscent of earlier Games.
- Murph: A Hero WOD consisting of a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, followed by another 1-mile run. Athletes were required to wear a weighted vest (20 lbs for men, 14 lbs for women). The event was performed under intense heat, adding to its difficulty.
- Ocean Swim: An open-water swimming event in the Pacific Ocean, testing athletes' proficiency and endurance in a different environment.
- Double Grace: A high-volume weightlifting event involving 60 clean & jerks for time.
- The Plow: A strongman-style event requiring athletes to push a heavy implement across a field.
Champions
- Men's Individual: Mathew Fraser (United States) claimed his first CrossFit Games title. This victory marked the beginning of a dominant run for Fraser, who would go on to win five consecutive Games titles.
- Women's Individual: Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir (Iceland) secured her second consecutive championship, becoming only the second woman in history to win back-to-back CrossFit Games titles.
- Team: CrossFit Mayhem Freedom (United States), led by four-time individual champion Rich Froning Jr., won their second team title.
Significance The 2016 CrossFit Games is often remembered as a turning point in the sport, particularly for the men's individual competition with Mathew Fraser's breakthrough victory. It showcased the increasing professionalism and competitive depth within CrossFit, pushing the boundaries of athletic performance and programming. The event's rigorous nature and diverse challenges further solidified its reputation as the ultimate test of fitness.