4-time CrossFit Video games champion Will Powell has died

Powell not too long ago competed within the 2024 CrossFit Open.

Final up to date on January 8, 2025

On January 5, after greater than seven years of battling most cancers, four-time CrossFit Video games champion Will Powell handed away.

Remind me

Powell was a mainstay in Masters CrossFit Games divisions for a decade, profitable 4 titles alongside the best way.

• He received the boys's 50-54 age class in 2014 and 2015. Part 55-59 years in 2016, and part 60-64 years in 2021.
• Powell final appeared on the CrossFit Video games in 2022, 5 years after his battle with lung most cancers. On the age of 62, he completed fifth.
• In 2023, Powell underwent one other most cancers surgical procedure adopted by chemotherapy He went on to compete for the ultimate time on the 2024 CrossFit Open.

Because the neighborhood mourns a CrossFit legend, we had the chance to meet up with just a few of his fellow rivals and shut associates to share their ideas on the legacy Powell will go away within the sport and his affect on them.

What do they are saying?

Everybody who competed towards Powell described him the identical means: a humble, trustworthy and type one who had a long-lasting affect on everybody he met.

• “He laughed shortly, was humble, and didn't take himself too critically“Will was the epitome of humility, regardless of his accomplishments,” mentioned Dave Hardy, an in depth pal and fellow CrossFit athlete.

Dale LaFontaine, a four-time Masters competitor, described Powell this manner: “The need was bigger than life. His demeanor was in contrast to anybody I had ever competed with. His real look after these round him was all the time evident.

• Carl Giuffre, who completed second to Powell on the 2021 Video games, added: “Will was my inspiration for going to the Video games. I've identified him since 2012, and once I lastly competed with him in 2019, I used to be shocked by how humble he was. He was probably the most beneficiant and humble competitor I've ever had the pleasure of competing towards. I miss him a lot.”

Those that competed with Powell additionally remembered how a lot he dominated the competitors ground yr after yr.

One reminiscence that stands out for LaFontaine got here on the 2015 CrossFit Video games throughout a run and snatch exercise.

• “I keep in mind entering into place so I might watch him and attempt to sustain with him.” LaFontaine mentioned. “It was mind-boggling to see how he appeared so sluggish and managed but moved so extremely shortly. He had this innate capability to seek out and keep the proper velocity, and he all the time knew precisely what that velocity was. He was distinctive at that. Nice individuals make it appear Straightforward, and Will was the most effective of the most effective.

“The 2015 Video games have been Will Powell’s peak,” added David Gantz, who competed towards Powell within the Video games from 2014 to 2017.

• “He took first place simply and received 5 of seven occasionsGantz mentioned. “In most of these occasions, he was far forward of everybody, and he simply got here in on the finish of the occasion to avoid wasting power. He was very robust that yr and I feel Will would have received the over-60 division as nicely.

And all his fellow rivals remembered that point in 2017 when Powell… He almost drowned in Lake Monona In Madison, Wisconsin, he was rescued by fellow competitor Robert Caslen.

• “He was within the lake and actually began drowning. “Luckily, a really massive and powerful Bob Caslen was proper subsequent to Will, and he carried out heroically, grabbing Will, who was screaming for the kayak away,” Gantz mentioned. “The kayak arrived and the man paddled to shore with Will half-drowned hanging on the kayak. He would then run 1.5 miles to put final within the occasion. We virtually misplaced Will that day in Madison.
• “Will was by no means an excellent swimmer; “And that's the yr he developed an enormous tumor in his lung,” Hardy added. “He virtually drowned… however later doubted it, laughing, as he claimed that he simply wished to relaxation and that Bob [Caslin] He wished to get out of the water as unhealthy as he did.

However most of all, those that knew Powell will keep in mind how he made them really feel.

• “If you lined up towards him, you knew you have been most likely going to get smashed. However after the occasion, even in the event you're feeling down, you'll have a dialog with Will, and by the point the dialog is over, you'll really feel such as you've received the exercise. “He had an exquisite capability to make you be ok with your self,” LaFontaine mentioned.

For Gantz, it goes again to 2014 when he was a rookie and Powell was a veteran.

• “It was very troublesome and embarrassing for me as I used to be struggling in final place since day one. And on the final occasion, I used to be too [still] In final place was [in first]. He didn’t deal with me as an abnormal employee however as a kindergarten, which astonished me,” Gantz remembers.

The 2 turned good associates, typically talking on the cellphone. It was a friendship that lasted till Powell's demise.

• “Our final name was on October 24 [2024]. It was a really troublesome name as a result of, at that time, he mentioned, 'Dave, I'm weak now.' There’s nothing I can do to encourage others. The most cancers has taken over. There’s nothing else I can do. I want a miracle. “After which we cried on the cellphone,” Gantz mentioned.

“Will, you’ll undoubtedly proceed to encourage individuals,” Gantz replied, collected. Your capability to encourage many and hundreds goes past your earlier bodily talents […] You’re a nice inspiration to hundreds as a result of you’re a function mannequin of an excellent man.

Relaxation in peace Will Powell, we’ll miss you.

Featured Picture: @williampowell39 / Instagram