The 15 Most Badass Men Of The CrossFit Games

Since it started in 2007, the CrossFit Games have been a must-watch event for fitness junkies around the world. Competitors must go through three stages of challenges before they actually make it to the games. The first is the open, held in CrossFit gyms around the world. Athletes must complete five workouts in five weeks, and submit their scores. The top athletes from each of the 17 regions will then qualify for the regionals, which are a live, three-day competition. From there, the regions combine and athletes compete for spots for the CrossFit Games. Whew — got all that?

The Games are a culmination of a long period of training, and most athletes have their eye on the prize: $275,000 each, for the fittest man and woman. Check out these ten male athletes who made it to the games and are counting down the days until they can compete:

Named Fittest Man on Earth for four consecutive years, Froning beat out competitor Mathew Fraser in 2014 to win the competition by just 50 points. Shortly after last year’s Games, Froning told the media he was joining a team for the 2015 CrossFit Games, and is now competing with CrossFit Mayhem Freedom.

Fraser was a standout at the 2014 CrossFit Games — he was the runner up and earned the title of CrossFit Rookie of The Year. The former Olympic weightlifter blew away the competition this year’s East Regional event and is in it to win it. With his 315-pound snatch and 375-pound jerk, not a lot is standing in his way.

This Australian is a major competitor in the CrossFit world — he’s participated in the games three times already (2010, 2012 and 2013) and was a member of Team World, which won the CrossFit Invitational in Berlin in 2013. He is a disciplined man who told Box Life Magazine that he only has one cheat meal a year. In 2014, he failed to qualify for the games, but returned strong this year at the Pacific Regional with a 267-pound snatch, helping him come in fourth overall.

Ramirez is currently ranked number one in the world, in the masters division — he won the CrossFit Games, Open and Open Qualifier in 2014… And he’s ready to defend his title as the Fittest Man on Earth 40+. He can perform a 515-pound deadlift, 60 pull ups and a 305-pound clean and jerk.

This is the second CrossFit game for Ohlsen, who left the Atlantic Regional as the first-place qualifier. Last year, he finished in the top 15 worldwide, in every 2014 open workout except for one. A Facebook video of his “snatch” has nearly 10,000 views — clearly people are watching.

First-time qualifier, Hanna came in at second place, behind Noah Ohlsen, at the Atlantic Regional. He’s honest about his training and struggles on Instagram, noting one day when he missed a 400-pound jerk. Don’t hold it against him — he’s going to be a strong competitor this year.

Grundler was introduced to CrossFit back in 2001 in Santa Cruz. As a captain of the Pismo Beach Fire Department, he started using the CrossFit to train fire fighters. He opened his own CrossFit facility in 2008 and the rest is history — he competed on a CrossFit Regional Team for three years before entering as an individual competitor in 2013 and is currently ranked number one in his age group.

Five years ago, Holmberg claimed the title of Fittest Man on Earth, beating out famed CrossFit-er Rich Roning. He missed qualifying for the Games last year and worked extra hard for his ticket this year. He enters the Games ranked in eighth place overall.

This four-time CrossFit Games competitor has never finished on the podium, and seems committed to making it happen this year — especially with Rich Froning moving over to the team competition.

Known for his red beard, this ex-rugby player burst onto the CrossFit scene in 2011. Parker has a huge fan base, likely stemming from the serious technique he uses in the sport. He can perform a 490-pound back squat and a 345-pound clean and jerk. Keep your eye on this guy.

There is already a hashtag brewing in support of this Aussie: #khantstopwontstop. Porter competed in the Games in 2014 and now has a better grasp of what to expect — he's been training himself instead of using a coach.