Fuel to the Fire: Kyle Kasperbauer

July 21, 2013

Scott Todnem

"Getting third last year was a great honor, but just added fuel to the fire. I want to do better than I did last year."

 

The third fittest man on Earth will take the stage again this month to defend his position. Coming in 15th in the region during the Open, Kyle Kaspebauer stormed into Navy Pier in Chicago to win the 2013 North Central Regional for the second straight year.

Kasperbauer finished in first place in Regional Events 1 and 6, which were the backbone of solid efforts all weekend.

"Experience in general — Open, Regionals or Games — plays a big role mentally in an athlete’s performance,” Kasperbauer says. “You can train all you want, but experience is golden."

Returning for his fifth Games appearance — he has been twice as an individual and twice on a team — Kasperbauer exudes a calm confidence and relishes a chance to better his third-place finish from a year ago.

"Getting third last year was a great honor, but just added fuel to the fire. I want to do better than I did last year,” he says. “Easier said than done, I know, but I feel I'm ready for anything.”

Kasperbauer is unsure of what to expect at this year’s Games.

"In terms of events that may come up (this year), anything is possible. Who knows?” he says.

Since Regionals, he has been playing it safe in terms of training and has worked on refining all facets of his fitness.

“I have been practicing every movement that I think may come up at Games — everything,” he says. “I am looking forward to a variety of everything to truly test (our) ability to represent the world’s fittest.”

This training has been paying off for Kasperbauer so far.

"No set backs … PRs all over the place … so I am excited. Strength that has surpassed my football days and (workout) times that I didn't ever think I could hit,” he says. “I won't go into details, I will just leave it at that for now.”

He adds: “I’m very excited for this year.”

A former collegiate football player and member of CrossFit Omaha, he sees CrossFit as a great transition from college sports and says it will remain a part of his life for years to come. In the meantime, he is enjoying witnessing the evolution of CrossFit.

"I feel this year, more than others, will be more for the spectators than in years past,” he says. “Very exciting.”