CrossFit: The search for the fittest in New Zealand

Luke Fiso. Photo / Supplied.

Every year in Carson City California, the best CrossFit competitors compete to become the Fittest on Earth.

Now, for the first time, the search is on for New Zealand's fittest.

The inaugural CrossFit Taurus New Zealand National Finals are being held on 30-31 July at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton.

Over two days, competitors will perform a range of functional exercises, incorporating Olympic weight training, gymnastics and cardio, in a bid to stake their claim on the leader board, in one of four categories:

• Individual Scaled Men and Women
• Individual Intermediate Men and Women
• Individual RX Men and Women
• Individual Masters Men and Women 40+ (Born on or before 5 June 1976)

There will also be a team competition with 16 teams of four (two men and two women) competing for national glory.

Michael Gillum, CrossFit Taurus trainer and New Zealand Nationals organiser, has designed a range of workouts for the competition. "In keeping with CrossFit, competitors won't know what exercises they'll be required to perform until on the day. We want to find out who has the greatest overall physical capacity so these athletes will really be pushed to their limits. It's going to be a real spectacle."

The finalists are the top qualifiers from an online competition held across New Zealand from 6-28 June.

Those to watch include Emma Wright from Wellington who will headline the women's RX category. Placing 12th at the CrossFit Pacific Regional Competition earlier this year, Emma will compete alongside functional strength team member and individual competitor, Aimee Tawhai.

Fellow Wellingtonian, Luke Fiso, who placed 16th at the Pacific Regional Competition, will also be competing in the Individual RX category.

Event details
What: CrossFit Taurus New Zealand National Finals
When: 30-31 July, 9am - 4pm
Where: Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton
Cost: $10 per day for spectators, public entry welcome