Reebok CrossFit Games 2020

May 24, 2020 Sports

Mahadeo and Adonis out as organisers drastically reduce field owing to Covid-19

By Franklin Wilson
The organisers of the world’s biggest fitness competition, the Reebok CrossFit Games has announced that the field of competitors which is usually over 250 athletes (including national champions) has been drastically slashed to just the top 30 male and female athletes for the 2020 edition.

Dillon Mahadeo proudly displays the Golden Arrowhead.

Delice Adonis proudly displays the Golden Arrowhead.

The ongoing challenges that have hit the world in terms of social gatherings being outlawed including at sports events for the foreseeable have taken its toll and the games

which were scheduled at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin in August will now be held on “The Ranch” in Aromas, California (specific dates still to be determined).
Guyana’s fittest male and female athletes, Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo and Delice Adonis were all set and training consistently even amid the coronavirus pandemic to represent the Golden Arrowhead once again but that have all come to naught now as they have, like many other athletes around the world, been withdrawn from the competition.
Both fitness champions and their Coach, Jamie McDonald have expressed disappointment but are in agreement that they hadn’t no control over the situation and believes that they’ll come even stronger for the 2021 competition, once it is held.
Dillon Mahadeo: “I was definitely a bit disheartened hearing the news, not having the chance to compete again this year on the world stage after experiencing such a stupendous competition last year, I was really looking forward to showcasing all the hard work and training that has been put into this season in preparing for the Crossfit Games. I was also relishing the opportunity to see where I tally up against the best in the world by improving my ranking from 2019.

Dillon Mahadeo and 4-time USA Crossfit Champion (2016-2019) Mat Fraser pictured at the 2019 presentation ceremony.

Jamie Mc Donald

Mahadeo said that even before CrossFit released an official statement, he was prepared for the restructuring of the Games, “Knowing that there is a possibility we might not get to compete this year and I believe it may have been the best possible solution for the dilemma we are facing”.
“However, looking at the bigger picture, I cannot complain, due to the unprecedented pandemic globally, persons are being affected immensely and are losing so much more, it’s fatal for some or for their loved ones. I count myself lucky that my family and I are safe from Covid-19 and this is of utmost importance currently.”
The reigning Kares Crossfit and Caribbean Fitness Challenge champion believes that it is imperative that all stay optimistic and plan for the future with a view of coming out of this pandemic stronger on the other side.
“My goal is to keep putting in the same hard work and discipline it takes to get to the next level and qualify and earn my spot to compete at the pinnacle of our sport in 2021, to represent my country to the best of my abilities so I can once again hoist the Golden Arrowhead proudly on the world stage.”
Like Mahadeo, Delice Adonis who also trains at Crossfit 592 is aiming to come back even stronger.

Manager Coach Jamie McDonald (right) with Dillon Mahadeo and Delice Adonis at the Reebok Fitness Games, 2019.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed that Crossfit rescinded their invitation to the games but I completely understand… with everything going on in the world right now and especially the U.S which is proving to be the new epicenter of the pandemic, it’s probably in the best interest of the athletes to not have a CrossFit Games 2020 at all, but we’ll see about that.
For me, this is effectively the end of my 2020 season. Preparations have now begun to fight to earn that invite again for 2021. I’ve been pushing my body quite a bit since last October so I’m actually a little happy to have a break where I can focus on properly rehabbing my injury, and on gaining strength and developing some of my skills without feeling like I’m jeopardizing my competition prep. I don’t know what the 2021 season is going to look like and I can’t make any assumptions this early on, but my hope is that the crossfit season can return to normal by then.”
The duo is coached by qualified CrossFit Instructor Jamie McDonald who spoke with Kaieteur Sport.
“We’ve all agreed that the general way to deal with this is just to take it in stride like everybody else in sports is and just use the extra time to build upon your weaknesses so that when the opportunity arises later in the year to do the requalification competition online, they’ll do even better that they did last year. Hopefully, when all of this covid stuff is over we can go back to the same international format again next year and they’ll get a chance to represent Guyana on a kind of grander stage once again. That’s how we plan to approach training for next year.”