What a weekend.
To every athlete who stepped onto the floor at Grudge Match: a massive well done. Thank you for giving it your all, backing your teammates and bringing so much energy to the competition.
To everyone who came to support, cheered from the sidelines, judged, volunteered or helped behind the scenes: thank you. This weekend happened because people showed up for each other.
CrossFit works
I’ve been thinking quite a bit about CrossFit lately. There’s been disappointment around certain things happening in our sport, but after a weekend like this, there’s one thing I know for certain.
CrossFit works.
The methodology works. Good coaching, effective training, consistency and hard work get people results. We saw that effort on the floor throughout Grudge Match.
But what makes CrossFit truly special is something much bigger than the training.
It’s the people. It’s the community.
People need people
When we talk about community, we’re talking about the people who walk through our gym doors every day.
The people who make others feel seen. Who encourage someone through a tough workout. Who celebrate another person’s progress and make them feel like they belong.
That takes selflessness. It takes people being willing to put others first.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that people need people.
You can have all the talent, strength and ability in the world, but the right people around you can take you to a completely different level. People who believe in you, push you, celebrate your victories and pick you up when things aren’t going your way.
Your ability can take you far, but the right community can take you further.
And the amazing thing is, when you help other people become better, you become better too.
Thank you to all the gyms involved
A massive thank you to CrossFit Alberton 2.0, CrossFit PFC, Movment Crew, H5 Fitness, and KG Health and Fitness.
Thank you for bringing your athletes, your supporters and your energy to Grudge Match. Seeing our gyms come together, compete hard and cheer each other on was what this weekend was all about.
To every coach who helped prepare their athletes and every supporter who came to back their gym: we appreciate you.
The people behind the weekend
There’s a lot of work that happens before the first heat starts and after the last athlete finishes. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who gave their time and helped make it happen.
To all eight of our judges, and our head judges Anton and Wayne: thank you for your focus, patience and commitment throughout the competition. Judging is a big responsibility, and we appreciate the hours you spent on the floor.
To Score IT and Belinda: thank you for handling the scoring and the work behind every result.
To all the coaches and everyone who helped with setup and packing away: thank you for moving equipment, preparing the floor and getting stuck into whatever needed doing. Your work made a huge difference.
Our sponsors and supporters
A massive thank you to the businesses and people who backed Grudge Match:
- Rebel, for supplying equipment and supporting the competition..
- Tasia and the Express Hire team, for providing the toilets.
- Craig at D&S Printing, for the printing support.
- Vanta Studio, for the incredible photography that captured every rep, every scream and every hug of the weekend.
- Ruan and Charlene, for transporting the equipment.
- Fast, for your sponsorship, hands-on help and support across so many parts of the weekend.
- Car Service City, for the massive sponsorship that helped make the event possible.
- Morgan, for looking after the boys.
- Ale, for your support and contribution.
To everyone who lent equipment, carried something heavy, solved a problem or quietly stepped in where help was needed: thank you. We noticed, and we appreciate you.
More than a leaderboard
We won’t always be the strongest or fittest people in the room. But the relationships we build, the people we help and the impact we have on others will last far longer than any result on a leaderboard.
That’s what we need to protect about CrossFit.
We don’t need to overcomplicate it.
Train hard. Coach well. Help people get results. And just be lekker people.
Put others first. Celebrate their success. Make people feel like they belong.
Great communities are built by people looking out for each other. After Grudge Match, we’re reminded of just how special that is.
The photos are here—and there’s one rule 📸
Time to relive the weekend.
All photos by the amazing team at Vanta Studio. When you share your shots, please tag @the_vanta_studio and give them some love.
View the full Grudge Match photo album, find your favourites and download your shots.
There’s just one rule when you grab your photos: share the love.
Post them on social media and tell us about your best Grudge Match moment. It could be a personal best, a teammate who backed you, a moment that made you laugh or simply making it through that last workout.
Use #GrudgeMatch, tag your gym, your teammates and the other boxes involved.
Let’s give everyone who made this weekend special their moment too.
Thank you for the effort, the support and the memories.
CrossFit works. But it’s the people who make it worth doing.
