CrossFit: Goal to be world's fittest

Kevin Manuel varies his training constantly to cover every base possible. Photo / File

If you happen to be wandering around Havelock North and see Kevin Manuel attempting a 76-metre handstand walk at pace, don't question his sanity.

The former Havelock North premier rugby player will be doing it for a good reason. Manuel, 28, is the first New Zealand male to qualify for the World CrossFit Games and this year's edition will be staged in Carson, California, from July 22-26.

He qualified with a fourth placing at the Australia-Asia Super Region qualifier which ended in Wollongong last weekend.

"I'm so excited. This is the fourth consecutive year I've tried to qualify and the last two years I finished fifth. On those occasions only the top three qualified for the worlds but because there are now only eight Super regions you can qualify from the top five males, top five females and top five teams make it," Manuel said.

More than 250,000 athletes attempted to be among the 30 qualifiers for Wollongong, and the qualification process for this began in February.

In Carson, 45 men, 45 women and 45 teams will be in action.

"Less than 1 per cent of the CrossFit world get a crack at this opportunity. We've all got the chance to be crowned the fittest person alive and I'm honoured and privileged to have the opportunity," Manuel said.

Manuel is a viticulture contractor and part owner of Mount and Tauranga Crossfit.

Like the other world championships starters, he doesn't know what to expect in Carson.

"We sign in on the Monday and that's when we get told about some of the events. We start competing on the Wednesday and that's when we could start with a triathlon or a really long, cycle, swim or run. The Thursday is a day off and then we compete on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"We have to be prepared for everything. That's why my training is never the same ... the winner will be the most rounded person," Manuel said.

"As long as I have the necessary skill base, strength, endurance and stamina, that will be a good start."

A CrossFit competitor for the past five years, Manuel has yet to discuss a Carson goal with his wife and coach Jade and fellow training partners.

"I always take things one step at a time. Now I've qualified I've got to find a new goal but you can guarantee I will do my upmost best as I may not get this opportunity again.

"Every athlete has self belief and I get that from my team," Manuel said.

The fact the top 15 finishers win prizemoney and the winner takes home $275,000 will no doubt be a factor when Manuel and his team sit down this weekend to work out their goal. In the meantime he will continue to train and rise the $10,000 he needs for the trip.

Manuel can spend up to 14 hours each week training and often his training partner will be the oldest of his two children, 3-year-old son Brody.

Gymnastic routines, ball throwing, weight training, long runs and cycle rides will all be completed during the coming weeks.

There are no further events on Manuel's schedule before the trip.

While he is the first Kiwi male to qualify, Invercargill's Ruth Anderson-Horrell has competed at this level.