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From Oct. 27-30, 50 of the planet’s fittest and strongest athletes converged at Dell Diamond Stadium in Austin, TX, to partake in the 2022 Rogue Invitational, which hosts both competitive CrossFit and strongman competitions.
Over four days, BarBend‘s CrossFit writer and photographer Patrick Clark captured stunning shots of both events, showcasing athletes at their highs and lows throughout the weekend. Below are 20 of Clark’s favorite shots and a brief explanation of what you’re seeing.
[Related: Check out BarBend’s leaderboard for complete coverage of the 2022 Rogue Invitational]
Teenager Emma Lawson Takes on the “Texas Oak”
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
This Canadian sensation burst onto the scene in the 2022 CrossFit Games season showing that despite just being 17 years old, she was ready to compete with the top women athletes in the sport. Those who weren’t convinced by her placing sixth at the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games should be now after a podium finish at Rogue.
Even more impressive than her two event wins was her eighth place finish in the “Texas Oak” event. Not known particularly for her strength, Lawson tied seven other athletes by lifting the odd object at 190 pounds.
Among that group of athletes were Annie Thorisdottir, Amanda Barnhart, Olivia Kerstetter, Manon Angonese, Gabriela Migala and Ellie Turner, all known for their strength. This event shows the continued evolution of Lawson and how she has yet to reach her potential as an athlete.
The Return of Thor
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Hafþór Björnsson didn’t show up to compete in the strongman competition. However, his larger-than-life presence was felt even if he was just there to break the 56-pound Weight Over Bar World Record, which he did rather easily.
Thor, who is also known as “The Mountain” from his stint in HBO‘s Game of Thrones, tossed the implement of 23 feet and three inches bested the previous — which he set in 2019 at the Arnold Strongman Classic — record by one inch.
Finding Small Victories
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Jacqueline Dahlstrøm didn’t have the best finish at the 2021 Rogue Invitational, finishing last. An athlete who is known more for her gymnastics than her strength, she did better than her 17th place at this year’s competition would indicate.
She had three top-10 finishes this year while only having one last year. The Norwegian also made sure she had fun and celebrated when she had the opportunity, especially in workouts where she thought she would struggle. The “Heavy DT” event was one such workout, where it was more about finishing the event under the time cap than her placing.
His Name is Tim Paulson
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Paulson is one of CrossFit’s true professionals, a veteran of the sport, he has competed in six-straight CrossFit Games. This was his first time competing at the prestigious Rogue Invitational, having received an invitation through their online qualifier.
Known for his celebrations, Paulson let the crowd at Dell Diamond know he came to compete during the “Texas Oak” event. He was able to log-press a weight of 280 pounds overhead, placing seventh, his best finish of the weekend.
Nakonechnyy Shoulders the Weight
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
In this photo, Pavlo Nakonechnyy prepares to press the 280-pound Cyr dumbbell — the same weight that the CrossFit men pressed on the log, these men press with one arm — over his head during the second event of the competition. The Ukrainian placed ninth in the event, clearing the ladder and lifting the 300-pound Cyr Bell once.
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Ricky Garard has never been one to play to the crowd, often using their cheers and channeling that energy to help him, especially in lifting events. So when he was introduced to the log lift, he knew he needed that encouragement more than ever during the weekend.
It paid off for the Australian as he successfully lifted 280 pounds after numerous missed lifts. Due to the tiebreaker — a Jerry can race — he finished third in the event, in large part to the crowd and the love they showed him.
Welcome Back Mr. Smith
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
The 2022 CrossFit Games season was less than ideal for Chandler Smith, one of the more popular and talented athletes in the men’s division. He failed to qualify for the Games due to his continued battle with asthma, which came ahead at the Granite Games semifinal.
If the offseason has given us any indication, he seems to be back and perhaps better than ever. He finished second overall at the competition, thanks in large part to his impressive event win in the “Texas Oak”.
Martins Licis Chalks Up Enroute to “Rogue-A-Coaster” Win
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Lifting chalk and strongman go together like peanut butter and jelly. Martins Licis, who won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man and 2021 Rogue Invitational, showers himself with chalk while awaiting his turn to tackle the “Rogue-A-Coaster”, the newest strongman implement created through the mad-scientist mind of Rogue owner Bill Henniger.
Chalk it up to the, ahem, chalk, or perhaps his combination of strength and technique, but whatever it was worked — he won the spectacle of an event with a time of 0:33.44.
Welcome to the Show Kid
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
The weekend didn’t go as planned for teen sensation Olivia Kerstetter. Still, she gathered a lot of data and experience from her first major competition against the top women in the sport. She could have competed at any other competition to gain this experience but instead, put herself out there for the whole world to see.
Her performance had many peaks and valleys as she finished 16th overall. Post-Rogue, she and her coaching team, led by Jacob Heppner, will go back to the drawing board and figure out where she goes from here, whether she remains in the teen division to defend her “Fittest Teen Title” or elect to compete as an elite individual. W
hatever her decision may be she took on the brutal workouts over the weekend and showed she can compete with the best.
Horvath Establishes Her Dominance
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Laura Horvath crossed the finish line with her hand raised after her Event 5 win in “The Turtle”. The win was her third of what would end up being four-straight for the three-time CrossFit Games podium finisher.
Her streak of event wins essentially clinched the title for her, solidifying herself as one of the best women athletes in the sport.
Turner’s Climb to the Top
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Ellie Turner burst onto the scene last year, as she came out of relatively nowhere to make her first Games. Many saw her trip to the Games a product of Tia-Clair Toomey not competing in the Oceania Semifinal and an injury to Jamie Simmonds. This year, she put those doubters in their place as she once again made the Games and improved on her finish, placing 18th, earning her an invite to the Rogue Invitational.
The Australian was expected to do well with the Rogue programming and she didn’t disappoint, recording seven top-10 finishes. Those finishes including a fourth place finish in “The Duel II” led to her tying Lawson with 670 points but she would lose the tie-breaker and finish fourth overall.
No Monkeying Around
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
We haven’t seen the monkey bars used in a major CrossFit competition since the 2018 Games where it was featured during the obstacle portion of the “Battlegrounds” event. Rogue was able to bring this rig out of the mothballs and just like in 2018, it provided just enough of an annoyance for athletes during Event 5, “The Turtle”, to play a small role in the finish of that event.
Eyeing the Competition
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Jayson Hopper takes a peak at his competition as he jumps over his barbell to the finish line. Hopper would end up placing sixth in the event, “The Turtle”, three seconds ahead of Roman Khrennikov.
Ending on a high Note
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Much like Kerstetter, former teen division athlete Jack Farlow was able to gather some much needed experience competing against the best men in the world. However it was a very frustrating experience as well. He only had one top-10 finish while collecting five bottom-5 heading into the final event. Faced with “Heavy Grace”, the Canadian was able to show everyone why his future looks so bright as he crossed the finish line with both arms up in elation; he won his heat in fourth-place overall.
Powered by Crumbl
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Dani Speegle was no doubt one of the more popular athletes in the field. She was typically one of the last athletes to leave the field of competition as she would take the time to give hugs, high fives, sign autographs, and take pictures with the fans.
The fans decided to give back to her as one group handed her a box of her favorite Crumbl Cookies after the final event. In true Speegle form she accepted the box with a smile and hugs.
Faster Than a Turtle, Kwant Wins His First Rogue Event
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Samuel Kwant stood atop the man-made hill that Rogue created for the competition, pulling the rope, hand-over-hand, smooth and steady. Smooth and steady is the best way to describe Kwant. You can also say quiet, unassuming and of course underrated.
That description of him wasn’t more evident than in “The Turtle” workout where he picked up the event win. He crossed the finish line with little celebration and because of that little fanfare. But the former Games runner-up and last year’s fourth place finisher could care less, well at least he’s not telling anyone.
Finishing With a Bang, and a Sigh of Relief
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Kara Saunders is one of the greatest female CrossFit athletes of all time, she’s had a career most athletes would die for. The last few seasons have been anything but easy for the Australian as she has dealt with a comeback from pregnancy and a 2021 Games that was cut short due to the after effects of Covid-19.
The 2022 Games saw a return to form of the Saunders we have known as she placed seventh overall. Her performance at Rogue mirrored her Games not only in final placing but nearly in the finish of the final event. Unlike at the Games where she placed second in the final event, at Rogue she won the event outright, finishing a “Heavy Grace” with a look of happiness and relief that the grueling four days of competition was finally over.
Jorge Fernandez Proves His Fitness is Elite
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Fernandez isn’t used to being in the spotlight, his CrossFit career has always been associated with his Invictus team, a team that finished third at the Games this past year. This offseason he branched out a bit and did the online qualifier for Rogue which he finished second to Chandler Smith.
In his first five events, Fernandez looked a bit out of place as his best finish was 12th. In event 6, “The Duel II”, the former collegiate baseball player made it through the elimination-style bracket, culminating with a head-to-head showdown with Justin Medeiros. That put him centerstage in the finals where he was able to show off his fitness that got him to the competition. He was less than a second away from beating Medeiros in the event as he collected his best finish of the weekend.
“Iceland Annie” is Back
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Last year Annie Thorisdottir gave reigning and defending six-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” Tia-Clair Toomey a run for her money as she nearly upset her, placing second at the Rogue Invitational. This season, she was considered one of the athletes to become the first woman not named Toomey to win the competition.
Despite training as a team athlete over the last 9 months, the two-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” showed she’s still a contender to challenge Toomey as she placed second. It was vintage Thorisdottir throughout the competition as she had nine top-10 finishes, the only woman to do that, while averaging a finish of 6.9. But more importantly than the finishes was her trademark smile as before and after each event.
The Champ Goes All Out for the Win
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Justin Medeiros knows that the margin of being a champion and a runner-up is a matter of seconds and inches. That’s part of the reason why he has won five-straight live competitions including the Rogue Invitational twice. That trait of his was put on full display during the final round of “The Duel II” where he faced off against Jorge Fernandez.
In a field full of contenders, every point counts, especially event wins. He and Fernandez were neck-and-neck throughout the workout. Medeiros had a slight lead on the sandbag carry but could see that Fernandez was gaining on him so he elected to dive for the finish, which paid off. He won the event while knocking the wind out of himself but for the win, it was well worth it.
Featured Image: Patrick Clark / Athlete Eye’s Photography
From Oct. 27-30, 50 of the planet’s fittest and strongest athletes converged at Dell Diamond Stadium in Austin, TX, to partake in the 2022 Rogue Invitational, which hosts both competitive CrossFit and strongman competitions.
Over four days, BarBend‘s CrossFit writer and photographer Patrick Clark captured stunning shots of both events, showcasing athletes at their highs and lows throughout the weekend. Below are 20 of Clark’s favorite shots and a brief explanation of what you’re seeing.
[Related: Check out BarBend’s leaderboard for complete coverage of the 2022 Rogue Invitational]
Teenager Emma Lawson Takes on the “Texas Oak”
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
This Canadian sensation burst onto the scene in the 2022 CrossFit Games season showing that despite just being 17 years old, she was ready to compete with the top women athletes in the sport. Those who weren’t convinced by her placing sixth at the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games should be now after a podium finish at Rogue.
Even more impressive than her two event wins was her eighth place finish in the “Texas Oak” event. Not known particularly for her strength, Lawson tied seven other athletes by lifting the odd object at 190 pounds.
Among that group of athletes were Annie Thorisdottir, Amanda Barnhart, Olivia Kerstetter, Manon Angonese, Gabriela Migala and Ellie Turner, all known for their strength. This event shows the continued evolution of Lawson and how she has yet to reach her potential as an athlete.
The Return of Thor
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Hafþór Björnsson didn’t show up to compete in the strongman competition. However, his larger-than-life presence was felt even if he was just there to break the 56-pound Weight Over Bar World Record, which he did rather easily.
Thor, who is also known as “The Mountain” from his stint in HBO‘s Game of Thrones, tossed the implement of 23 feet and three inches bested the previous — which he set in 2019 at the Arnold Strongman Classic — record by one inch.
Finding Small Victories
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Jacqueline Dahlstrøm didn’t have the best finish at the 2021 Rogue Invitational, finishing last. An athlete who is known more for her gymnastics than her strength, she did better than her 17th place at this year’s competition would indicate.
She had three top-10 finishes this year while only having one last year. The Norwegian also made sure she had fun and celebrated when she had the opportunity, especially in workouts where she thought she would struggle. The “Heavy DT” event was one such workout, where it was more about finishing the event under the time cap than her placing.
His Name is Tim Paulson
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Paulson is one of CrossFit’s true professionals, a veteran of the sport, he has competed in six-straight CrossFit Games. This was his first time competing at the prestigious Rogue Invitational, having received an invitation through their online qualifier.
Known for his celebrations, Paulson let the crowd at Dell Diamond know he came to compete during the “Texas Oak” event. He was able to log-press a weight of 280 pounds overhead, placing seventh, his best finish of the weekend.
Nakonechnyy Shoulders the Weight
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
In this photo, Pavlo Nakonechnyy prepares to press the 280-pound Cyr dumbbell — the same weight that the CrossFit men pressed on the log, these men press with one arm — over his head during the second event of the competition. The Ukrainian placed ninth in the event, clearing the ladder and lifting the 300-pound Cyr Bell once.
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Ricky Garard has never been one to play to the crowd, often using their cheers and channeling that energy to help him, especially in lifting events. So when he was introduced to the log lift, he knew he needed that encouragement more than ever during the weekend.
It paid off for the Australian as he successfully lifted 280 pounds after numerous missed lifts. Due to the tiebreaker — a Jerry can race — he finished third in the event, in large part to the crowd and the love they showed him.
Welcome Back Mr. Smith
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
The 2022 CrossFit Games season was less than ideal for Chandler Smith, one of the more popular and talented athletes in the men’s division. He failed to qualify for the Games due to his continued battle with asthma, which came ahead at the Granite Games semifinal.
If the offseason has given us any indication, he seems to be back and perhaps better than ever. He finished second overall at the competition, thanks in large part to his impressive event win in the “Texas Oak”.
Martins Licis Chalks Up Enroute to “Rogue-A-Coaster” Win
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Lifting chalk and strongman go together like peanut butter and jelly. Martins Licis, who won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man and 2021 Rogue Invitational, showers himself with chalk while awaiting his turn to tackle the “Rogue-A-Coaster”, the newest strongman implement created through the mad-scientist mind of Rogue owner Bill Henniger.
Chalk it up to the, ahem, chalk, or perhaps his combination of strength and technique, but whatever it was worked — he won the spectacle of an event with a time of 0:33.44.
Welcome to the Show Kid
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
The weekend didn’t go as planned for teen sensation Olivia Kerstetter. Still, she gathered a lot of data and experience from her first major competition against the top women in the sport. She could have competed at any other competition to gain this experience but instead, put herself out there for the whole world to see.
Her performance had many peaks and valleys as she finished 16th overall. Post-Rogue, she and her coaching team, led by Jacob Heppner, will go back to the drawing board and figure out where she goes from here, whether she remains in the teen division to defend her “Fittest Teen Title” or elect to compete as an elite individual. W
hatever her decision may be she took on the brutal workouts over the weekend and showed she can compete with the best.
Horvath Establishes Her Dominance
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Laura Horvath crossed the finish line with her hand raised after her Event 5 win in “The Turtle”. The win was her third of what would end up being four-straight for the three-time CrossFit Games podium finisher.
Her streak of event wins essentially clinched the title for her, solidifying herself as one of the best women athletes in the sport.
Turner’s Climb to the Top
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Ellie Turner burst onto the scene last year, as she came out of relatively nowhere to make her first Games. Many saw her trip to the Games a product of Tia-Clair Toomey not competing in the Oceania Semifinal and an injury to Jamie Simmonds. This year, she put those doubters in their place as she once again made the Games and improved on her finish, placing 18th, earning her an invite to the Rogue Invitational.
The Australian was expected to do well with the Rogue programming and she didn’t disappoint, recording seven top-10 finishes. Those finishes including a fourth place finish in “The Duel II” led to her tying Lawson with 670 points but she would lose the tie-breaker and finish fourth overall.
No Monkeying Around
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
We haven’t seen the monkey bars used in a major CrossFit competition since the 2018 Games where it was featured during the obstacle portion of the “Battlegrounds” event. Rogue was able to bring this rig out of the mothballs and just like in 2018, it provided just enough of an annoyance for athletes during Event 5, “The Turtle”, to play a small role in the finish of that event.
Eyeing the Competition
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Jayson Hopper takes a peak at his competition as he jumps over his barbell to the finish line. Hopper would end up placing sixth in the event, “The Turtle”, three seconds ahead of Roman Khrennikov.
Ending on a high Note
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Much like Kerstetter, former teen division athlete Jack Farlow was able to gather some much needed experience competing against the best men in the world. However it was a very frustrating experience as well. He only had one top-10 finish while collecting five bottom-5 heading into the final event. Faced with “Heavy Grace”, the Canadian was able to show everyone why his future looks so bright as he crossed the finish line with both arms up in elation; he won his heat in fourth-place overall.
Powered by Crumbl
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Dani Speegle was no doubt one of the more popular athletes in the field. She was typically one of the last athletes to leave the field of competition as she would take the time to give hugs, high fives, sign autographs, and take pictures with the fans.
The fans decided to give back to her as one group handed her a box of her favorite Crumbl Cookies after the final event. In true Speegle form she accepted the box with a smile and hugs.
Faster Than a Turtle, Kwant Wins His First Rogue Event
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Samuel Kwant stood atop the man-made hill that Rogue created for the competition, pulling the rope, hand-over-hand, smooth and steady. Smooth and steady is the best way to describe Kwant. You can also say quiet, unassuming and of course underrated.
That description of him wasn’t more evident than in “The Turtle” workout where he picked up the event win. He crossed the finish line with little celebration and because of that little fanfare. But the former Games runner-up and last year’s fourth place finisher could care less, well at least he’s not telling anyone.
Finishing With a Bang, and a Sigh of Relief
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Kara Saunders is one of the greatest female CrossFit athletes of all time, she’s had a career most athletes would die for. The last few seasons have been anything but easy for the Australian as she has dealt with a comeback from pregnancy and a 2021 Games that was cut short due to the after effects of Covid-19.
The 2022 Games saw a return to form of the Saunders we have known as she placed seventh overall. Her performance at Rogue mirrored her Games not only in final placing but nearly in the finish of the final event. Unlike at the Games where she placed second in the final event, at Rogue she won the event outright, finishing a “Heavy Grace” with a look of happiness and relief that the grueling four days of competition was finally over.
Jorge Fernandez Proves His Fitness is Elite
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Fernandez isn’t used to being in the spotlight, his CrossFit career has always been associated with his Invictus team, a team that finished third at the Games this past year. This offseason he branched out a bit and did the online qualifier for Rogue which he finished second to Chandler Smith.
In his first five events, Fernandez looked a bit out of place as his best finish was 12th. In event 6, “The Duel II”, the former collegiate baseball player made it through the elimination-style bracket, culminating with a head-to-head showdown with Justin Medeiros. That put him centerstage in the finals where he was able to show off his fitness that got him to the competition. He was less than a second away from beating Medeiros in the event as he collected his best finish of the weekend.
“Iceland Annie” is Back
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Last year Annie Thorisdottir gave reigning and defending six-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” Tia-Clair Toomey a run for her money as she nearly upset her, placing second at the Rogue Invitational. This season, she was considered one of the athletes to become the first woman not named Toomey to win the competition.
Despite training as a team athlete over the last 9 months, the two-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” showed she’s still a contender to challenge Toomey as she placed second. It was vintage Thorisdottir throughout the competition as she had nine top-10 finishes, the only woman to do that, while averaging a finish of 6.9. But more importantly than the finishes was her trademark smile as before and after each event.
The Champ Goes All Out for the Win
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Justin Medeiros knows that the margin of being a champion and a runner-up is a matter of seconds and inches. That’s part of the reason why he has won five-straight live competitions including the Rogue Invitational twice. That trait of his was put on full display during the final round of “The Duel II” where he faced off against Jorge Fernandez.
In a field full of contenders, every point counts, especially event wins. He and Fernandez were neck-and-neck throughout the workout. Medeiros had a slight lead on the sandbag carry but could see that Fernandez was gaining on him so he elected to dive for the finish, which paid off. He won the event while knocking the wind out of himself but for the win, it was well worth it.
Featured Image: Patrick Clark / Athlete Eye’s Photography
Click here to view the article.
Over four days, BarBend‘s CrossFit writer and photographer Patrick Clark captured stunning shots of both events, showcasing athletes at their highs and lows throughout the weekend. Below are 20 of Clark’s favorite shots and a brief explanation of what you’re seeing.
[Related: Check out BarBend’s leaderboard for complete coverage of the 2022 Rogue Invitational]
Teenager Emma Lawson Takes on the “Texas Oak”
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
This Canadian sensation burst onto the scene in the 2022 CrossFit Games season showing that despite just being 17 years old, she was ready to compete with the top women athletes in the sport. Those who weren’t convinced by her placing sixth at the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games should be now after a podium finish at Rogue.
Even more impressive than her two event wins was her eighth place finish in the “Texas Oak” event. Not known particularly for her strength, Lawson tied seven other athletes by lifting the odd object at 190 pounds.
Among that group of athletes were Annie Thorisdottir, Amanda Barnhart, Olivia Kerstetter, Manon Angonese, Gabriela Migala and Ellie Turner, all known for their strength. This event shows the continued evolution of Lawson and how she has yet to reach her potential as an athlete.
The Return of Thor
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Hafþór Björnsson didn’t show up to compete in the strongman competition. However, his larger-than-life presence was felt even if he was just there to break the 56-pound Weight Over Bar World Record, which he did rather easily.
Thor, who is also known as “The Mountain” from his stint in HBO‘s Game of Thrones, tossed the implement of 23 feet and three inches bested the previous — which he set in 2019 at the Arnold Strongman Classic — record by one inch.
Finding Small Victories
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Jacqueline Dahlstrøm didn’t have the best finish at the 2021 Rogue Invitational, finishing last. An athlete who is known more for her gymnastics than her strength, she did better than her 17th place at this year’s competition would indicate.
She had three top-10 finishes this year while only having one last year. The Norwegian also made sure she had fun and celebrated when she had the opportunity, especially in workouts where she thought she would struggle. The “Heavy DT” event was one such workout, where it was more about finishing the event under the time cap than her placing.
His Name is Tim Paulson
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Paulson is one of CrossFit’s true professionals, a veteran of the sport, he has competed in six-straight CrossFit Games. This was his first time competing at the prestigious Rogue Invitational, having received an invitation through their online qualifier.
Known for his celebrations, Paulson let the crowd at Dell Diamond know he came to compete during the “Texas Oak” event. He was able to log-press a weight of 280 pounds overhead, placing seventh, his best finish of the weekend.
Nakonechnyy Shoulders the Weight
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
In this photo, Pavlo Nakonechnyy prepares to press the 280-pound Cyr dumbbell — the same weight that the CrossFit men pressed on the log, these men press with one arm — over his head during the second event of the competition. The Ukrainian placed ninth in the event, clearing the ladder and lifting the 300-pound Cyr Bell once.
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Ricky Garard has never been one to play to the crowd, often using their cheers and channeling that energy to help him, especially in lifting events. So when he was introduced to the log lift, he knew he needed that encouragement more than ever during the weekend.
It paid off for the Australian as he successfully lifted 280 pounds after numerous missed lifts. Due to the tiebreaker — a Jerry can race — he finished third in the event, in large part to the crowd and the love they showed him.
Welcome Back Mr. Smith
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
The 2022 CrossFit Games season was less than ideal for Chandler Smith, one of the more popular and talented athletes in the men’s division. He failed to qualify for the Games due to his continued battle with asthma, which came ahead at the Granite Games semifinal.
If the offseason has given us any indication, he seems to be back and perhaps better than ever. He finished second overall at the competition, thanks in large part to his impressive event win in the “Texas Oak”.
Martins Licis Chalks Up Enroute to “Rogue-A-Coaster” Win
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Lifting chalk and strongman go together like peanut butter and jelly. Martins Licis, who won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man and 2021 Rogue Invitational, showers himself with chalk while awaiting his turn to tackle the “Rogue-A-Coaster”, the newest strongman implement created through the mad-scientist mind of Rogue owner Bill Henniger.
Chalk it up to the, ahem, chalk, or perhaps his combination of strength and technique, but whatever it was worked — he won the spectacle of an event with a time of 0:33.44.
Welcome to the Show Kid
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
The weekend didn’t go as planned for teen sensation Olivia Kerstetter. Still, she gathered a lot of data and experience from her first major competition against the top women in the sport. She could have competed at any other competition to gain this experience but instead, put herself out there for the whole world to see.
Her performance had many peaks and valleys as she finished 16th overall. Post-Rogue, she and her coaching team, led by Jacob Heppner, will go back to the drawing board and figure out where she goes from here, whether she remains in the teen division to defend her “Fittest Teen Title” or elect to compete as an elite individual. W
hatever her decision may be she took on the brutal workouts over the weekend and showed she can compete with the best.
Horvath Establishes Her Dominance
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Laura Horvath crossed the finish line with her hand raised after her Event 5 win in “The Turtle”. The win was her third of what would end up being four-straight for the three-time CrossFit Games podium finisher.
Her streak of event wins essentially clinched the title for her, solidifying herself as one of the best women athletes in the sport.
Turner’s Climb to the Top
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Ellie Turner burst onto the scene last year, as she came out of relatively nowhere to make her first Games. Many saw her trip to the Games a product of Tia-Clair Toomey not competing in the Oceania Semifinal and an injury to Jamie Simmonds. This year, she put those doubters in their place as she once again made the Games and improved on her finish, placing 18th, earning her an invite to the Rogue Invitational.
The Australian was expected to do well with the Rogue programming and she didn’t disappoint, recording seven top-10 finishes. Those finishes including a fourth place finish in “The Duel II” led to her tying Lawson with 670 points but she would lose the tie-breaker and finish fourth overall.
No Monkeying Around
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
We haven’t seen the monkey bars used in a major CrossFit competition since the 2018 Games where it was featured during the obstacle portion of the “Battlegrounds” event. Rogue was able to bring this rig out of the mothballs and just like in 2018, it provided just enough of an annoyance for athletes during Event 5, “The Turtle”, to play a small role in the finish of that event.
Eyeing the Competition
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Jayson Hopper takes a peak at his competition as he jumps over his barbell to the finish line. Hopper would end up placing sixth in the event, “The Turtle”, three seconds ahead of Roman Khrennikov.
Ending on a high Note
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Much like Kerstetter, former teen division athlete Jack Farlow was able to gather some much needed experience competing against the best men in the world. However it was a very frustrating experience as well. He only had one top-10 finish while collecting five bottom-5 heading into the final event. Faced with “Heavy Grace”, the Canadian was able to show everyone why his future looks so bright as he crossed the finish line with both arms up in elation; he won his heat in fourth-place overall.
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Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Dani Speegle was no doubt one of the more popular athletes in the field. She was typically one of the last athletes to leave the field of competition as she would take the time to give hugs, high fives, sign autographs, and take pictures with the fans.
The fans decided to give back to her as one group handed her a box of her favorite Crumbl Cookies after the final event. In true Speegle form she accepted the box with a smile and hugs.
Faster Than a Turtle, Kwant Wins His First Rogue Event
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Samuel Kwant stood atop the man-made hill that Rogue created for the competition, pulling the rope, hand-over-hand, smooth and steady. Smooth and steady is the best way to describe Kwant. You can also say quiet, unassuming and of course underrated.
That description of him wasn’t more evident than in “The Turtle” workout where he picked up the event win. He crossed the finish line with little celebration and because of that little fanfare. But the former Games runner-up and last year’s fourth place finisher could care less, well at least he’s not telling anyone.
Finishing With a Bang, and a Sigh of Relief
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Kara Saunders is one of the greatest female CrossFit athletes of all time, she’s had a career most athletes would die for. The last few seasons have been anything but easy for the Australian as she has dealt with a comeback from pregnancy and a 2021 Games that was cut short due to the after effects of Covid-19.
The 2022 Games saw a return to form of the Saunders we have known as she placed seventh overall. Her performance at Rogue mirrored her Games not only in final placing but nearly in the finish of the final event. Unlike at the Games where she placed second in the final event, at Rogue she won the event outright, finishing a “Heavy Grace” with a look of happiness and relief that the grueling four days of competition was finally over.
Jorge Fernandez Proves His Fitness is Elite
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Fernandez isn’t used to being in the spotlight, his CrossFit career has always been associated with his Invictus team, a team that finished third at the Games this past year. This offseason he branched out a bit and did the online qualifier for Rogue which he finished second to Chandler Smith.
In his first five events, Fernandez looked a bit out of place as his best finish was 12th. In event 6, “The Duel II”, the former collegiate baseball player made it through the elimination-style bracket, culminating with a head-to-head showdown with Justin Medeiros. That put him centerstage in the finals where he was able to show off his fitness that got him to the competition. He was less than a second away from beating Medeiros in the event as he collected his best finish of the weekend.
“Iceland Annie” is Back
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Last year Annie Thorisdottir gave reigning and defending six-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” Tia-Clair Toomey a run for her money as she nearly upset her, placing second at the Rogue Invitational. This season, she was considered one of the athletes to become the first woman not named Toomey to win the competition.
Despite training as a team athlete over the last 9 months, the two-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” showed she’s still a contender to challenge Toomey as she placed second. It was vintage Thorisdottir throughout the competition as she had nine top-10 finishes, the only woman to do that, while averaging a finish of 6.9. But more importantly than the finishes was her trademark smile as before and after each event.
The Champ Goes All Out for the Win
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
Justin Medeiros knows that the margin of being a champion and a runner-up is a matter of seconds and inches. That’s part of the reason why he has won five-straight live competitions including the Rogue Invitational twice. That trait of his was put on full display during the final round of “The Duel II” where he faced off against Jorge Fernandez.
In a field full of contenders, every point counts, especially event wins. He and Fernandez were neck-and-neck throughout the workout. Medeiros had a slight lead on the sandbag carry but could see that Fernandez was gaining on him so he elected to dive for the finish, which paid off. He won the event while knocking the wind out of himself but for the win, it was well worth it.
Featured Image: Patrick Clark / Athlete Eye’s Photography
From Oct. 27-30, 50 of the planet’s fittest and strongest athletes converged at Dell Diamond Stadium in Austin, TX, to partake in the 2022 Rogue Invitational, which hosts both competitive CrossFit and strongman competitions.
Over four days, BarBend‘s CrossFit writer and photographer Patrick Clark captured stunning shots of both events, showcasing athletes at their highs and lows throughout the weekend. Below are 20 of Clark’s favorite shots and a brief explanation of what you’re seeing.
[Related: Check out BarBend’s leaderboard for complete coverage of the 2022 Rogue Invitational]
Teenager Emma Lawson Takes on the “Texas Oak”
Patrick Clark / Athlete’s Eye Photography
This Canadian sensation burst onto the scene in the 2022 CrossFit Games season showing that despite just being 17 years old, she was ready to compete with the top women athletes in the sport. Those who weren’t convinced by her placing sixth at the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games should be now after a podium finish at Rogue.
Even more impressive than her two event wins was her eighth place finish in the “Texas Oak” event. Not known particularly for her strength, Lawson tied seven other athletes by lifting the odd object at 190 pounds.
Among that group of athletes were Annie Thorisdottir, Amanda Barnhart, Olivia Kerstetter, Manon Angonese, Gabriela Migala and Ellie Turner, all known for their strength. This event shows the continued evolution of Lawson and how she has yet to reach her potential as an athlete.
The Return of Thor
Hafþór Björnsson didn’t show up to compete in the strongman competition. However, his larger-than-life presence was felt even if he was just there to break the 56-pound Weight Over Bar World Record, which he did rather easily.
Thor, who is also known as “The Mountain” from his stint in HBO‘s Game of Thrones, tossed the implement of 23 feet and three inches bested the previous — which he set in 2019 at the Arnold Strongman Classic — record by one inch.
Finding Small Victories
Jacqueline Dahlstrøm didn’t have the best finish at the 2021 Rogue Invitational, finishing last. An athlete who is known more for her gymnastics than her strength, she did better than her 17th place at this year’s competition would indicate.
She had three top-10 finishes this year while only having one last year. The Norwegian also made sure she had fun and celebrated when she had the opportunity, especially in workouts where she thought she would struggle. The “Heavy DT” event was one such workout, where it was more about finishing the event under the time cap than her placing.
His Name is Tim Paulson
Paulson is one of CrossFit’s true professionals, a veteran of the sport, he has competed in six-straight CrossFit Games. This was his first time competing at the prestigious Rogue Invitational, having received an invitation through their online qualifier.
Known for his celebrations, Paulson let the crowd at Dell Diamond know he came to compete during the “Texas Oak” event. He was able to log-press a weight of 280 pounds overhead, placing seventh, his best finish of the weekend.
Nakonechnyy Shoulders the Weight
In this photo, Pavlo Nakonechnyy prepares to press the 280-pound Cyr dumbbell — the same weight that the CrossFit men pressed on the log, these men press with one arm — over his head during the second event of the competition. The Ukrainian placed ninth in the event, clearing the ladder and lifting the 300-pound Cyr Bell once.
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi
Ricky Garard has never been one to play to the crowd, often using their cheers and channeling that energy to help him, especially in lifting events. So when he was introduced to the log lift, he knew he needed that encouragement more than ever during the weekend.
It paid off for the Australian as he successfully lifted 280 pounds after numerous missed lifts. Due to the tiebreaker — a Jerry can race — he finished third in the event, in large part to the crowd and the love they showed him.
Welcome Back Mr. Smith
The 2022 CrossFit Games season was less than ideal for Chandler Smith, one of the more popular and talented athletes in the men’s division. He failed to qualify for the Games due to his continued battle with asthma, which came ahead at the Granite Games semifinal.
If the offseason has given us any indication, he seems to be back and perhaps better than ever. He finished second overall at the competition, thanks in large part to his impressive event win in the “Texas Oak”.
Martins Licis Chalks Up Enroute to “Rogue-A-Coaster” Win
Lifting chalk and strongman go together like peanut butter and jelly. Martins Licis, who won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man and 2021 Rogue Invitational, showers himself with chalk while awaiting his turn to tackle the “Rogue-A-Coaster”, the newest strongman implement created through the mad-scientist mind of Rogue owner Bill Henniger.
Chalk it up to the, ahem, chalk, or perhaps his combination of strength and technique, but whatever it was worked — he won the spectacle of an event with a time of 0:33.44.
Welcome to the Show Kid
The weekend didn’t go as planned for teen sensation Olivia Kerstetter. Still, she gathered a lot of data and experience from her first major competition against the top women in the sport. She could have competed at any other competition to gain this experience but instead, put herself out there for the whole world to see.
Her performance had many peaks and valleys as she finished 16th overall. Post-Rogue, she and her coaching team, led by Jacob Heppner, will go back to the drawing board and figure out where she goes from here, whether she remains in the teen division to defend her “Fittest Teen Title” or elect to compete as an elite individual. W
hatever her decision may be she took on the brutal workouts over the weekend and showed she can compete with the best.
Horvath Establishes Her Dominance
Laura Horvath crossed the finish line with her hand raised after her Event 5 win in “The Turtle”. The win was her third of what would end up being four-straight for the three-time CrossFit Games podium finisher.
Her streak of event wins essentially clinched the title for her, solidifying herself as one of the best women athletes in the sport.
Turner’s Climb to the Top
Ellie Turner burst onto the scene last year, as she came out of relatively nowhere to make her first Games. Many saw her trip to the Games a product of Tia-Clair Toomey not competing in the Oceania Semifinal and an injury to Jamie Simmonds. This year, she put those doubters in their place as she once again made the Games and improved on her finish, placing 18th, earning her an invite to the Rogue Invitational.
The Australian was expected to do well with the Rogue programming and she didn’t disappoint, recording seven top-10 finishes. Those finishes including a fourth place finish in “The Duel II” led to her tying Lawson with 670 points but she would lose the tie-breaker and finish fourth overall.
No Monkeying Around
We haven’t seen the monkey bars used in a major CrossFit competition since the 2018 Games where it was featured during the obstacle portion of the “Battlegrounds” event. Rogue was able to bring this rig out of the mothballs and just like in 2018, it provided just enough of an annoyance for athletes during Event 5, “The Turtle”, to play a small role in the finish of that event.
Eyeing the Competition
Jayson Hopper takes a peak at his competition as he jumps over his barbell to the finish line. Hopper would end up placing sixth in the event, “The Turtle”, three seconds ahead of Roman Khrennikov.
Ending on a high Note
Much like Kerstetter, former teen division athlete Jack Farlow was able to gather some much needed experience competing against the best men in the world. However it was a very frustrating experience as well. He only had one top-10 finish while collecting five bottom-5 heading into the final event. Faced with “Heavy Grace”, the Canadian was able to show everyone why his future looks so bright as he crossed the finish line with both arms up in elation; he won his heat in fourth-place overall.
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Dani Speegle was no doubt one of the more popular athletes in the field. She was typically one of the last athletes to leave the field of competition as she would take the time to give hugs, high fives, sign autographs, and take pictures with the fans.
The fans decided to give back to her as one group handed her a box of her favorite Crumbl Cookies after the final event. In true Speegle form she accepted the box with a smile and hugs.
Faster Than a Turtle, Kwant Wins His First Rogue Event
Samuel Kwant stood atop the man-made hill that Rogue created for the competition, pulling the rope, hand-over-hand, smooth and steady. Smooth and steady is the best way to describe Kwant. You can also say quiet, unassuming and of course underrated.
That description of him wasn’t more evident than in “The Turtle” workout where he picked up the event win. He crossed the finish line with little celebration and because of that little fanfare. But the former Games runner-up and last year’s fourth place finisher could care less, well at least he’s not telling anyone.
Finishing With a Bang, and a Sigh of Relief
Kara Saunders is one of the greatest female CrossFit athletes of all time, she’s had a career most athletes would die for. The last few seasons have been anything but easy for the Australian as she has dealt with a comeback from pregnancy and a 2021 Games that was cut short due to the after effects of Covid-19.
The 2022 Games saw a return to form of the Saunders we have known as she placed seventh overall. Her performance at Rogue mirrored her Games not only in final placing but nearly in the finish of the final event. Unlike at the Games where she placed second in the final event, at Rogue she won the event outright, finishing a “Heavy Grace” with a look of happiness and relief that the grueling four days of competition was finally over.
Jorge Fernandez Proves His Fitness is Elite
Fernandez isn’t used to being in the spotlight, his CrossFit career has always been associated with his Invictus team, a team that finished third at the Games this past year. This offseason he branched out a bit and did the online qualifier for Rogue which he finished second to Chandler Smith.
In his first five events, Fernandez looked a bit out of place as his best finish was 12th. In event 6, “The Duel II”, the former collegiate baseball player made it through the elimination-style bracket, culminating with a head-to-head showdown with Justin Medeiros. That put him centerstage in the finals where he was able to show off his fitness that got him to the competition. He was less than a second away from beating Medeiros in the event as he collected his best finish of the weekend.
“Iceland Annie” is Back
Last year Annie Thorisdottir gave reigning and defending six-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” Tia-Clair Toomey a run for her money as she nearly upset her, placing second at the Rogue Invitational. This season, she was considered one of the athletes to become the first woman not named Toomey to win the competition.
Despite training as a team athlete over the last 9 months, the two-time “Fittest Woman on Earth” showed she’s still a contender to challenge Toomey as she placed second. It was vintage Thorisdottir throughout the competition as she had nine top-10 finishes, the only woman to do that, while averaging a finish of 6.9. But more importantly than the finishes was her trademark smile as before and after each event.
The Champ Goes All Out for the Win
Justin Medeiros knows that the margin of being a champion and a runner-up is a matter of seconds and inches. That’s part of the reason why he has won five-straight live competitions including the Rogue Invitational twice. That trait of his was put on full display during the final round of “The Duel II” where he faced off against Jorge Fernandez.
In a field full of contenders, every point counts, especially event wins. He and Fernandez were neck-and-neck throughout the workout. Medeiros had a slight lead on the sandbag carry but could see that Fernandez was gaining on him so he elected to dive for the finish, which paid off. He won the event while knocking the wind out of himself but for the win, it was well worth it.
Featured Image: Patrick Clark / Athlete Eye’s Photography
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