Manuel wins as competition field widens

Kevin Manuel beat 70 Kiwi and Australian CrossFit athletes to come top of his field at Battle of the Fittest in Auckland.

The event, now in its sixth year, is New Zealand's top fitness competition, providing a platform for men and women to test their fitness against the nation's best.

The Havelock North man, who was also named Battle of the Fittest Champion in 2012, has not placed outside the top 10 in eight years.

However, his latest success in the men's category did not come without its challenges. He faced a high-calibre of competitors and intense training.

"It was a super tough three days of competition the workouts were some of the coolest I've ever encountered, " he said.

"There are some really amazing CrossFit athletes in New Zealand; the level of competition has increased exponentially over the past couple of years so to come out on top is a real testament to my hard work and efficacy of my training."

Battle of the Fittest was held over two days earlier this month at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland, as part of the Big Boys Toys expo. It is renown as a gruelling task for athletes and a thrilling experience for spectators.

Athletes are challenged to complete a highly-difficult workout programme, which they have not seen until just before the competition.

CrossFit sport events comprise a broad range of functional movements to test not train fitness. It requires strength, stamina and speed to achieve success at a top level.

Manuel's next goal is to qualify for the 2015 CrossFit Games to be held in the United States.

"I've never made it [there] but that's definitely my ambition. I want to see where I stand on the world stage."

Games director Alex Porter was excited to present the award, saying the event was more difficult than ever before.

"Kevin's victory takes on even greater significance when you consider that this year for the very first time we opened the event to Australian athletes meaning he also beat CrossFit competitors from across the Ditch."