Lia Navarrete recently turned 15. And she's competing in the Open.
Lia Navarrete recently turned 15. And she’s competing in the Open.
At 4-foot-11, she plans to take on all the Open Workouts. One day, she wants to be the fittest woman in Chile.
She began CrossFit as a way to recover from asthma after her bronchopulmonary MD suggested she take up sports. She began playing basketball, volleyball and swimming recreationally, but had to choose what sport to pursue more seriously.
Her aunt took her to CrossFit BEF and introduced her to coach Jose Rivera about a year ago.
Rivera has been essential to her quick development as a CrossFit athlete. He has become her supporter, her friend and the person who makes sure she is always inspired.
For Navarrete, Rivera is almost a like a father figure, but also one who makes sure she can someday become the fittest woman in Chile, and as complete as an athlete and person as possible.
"I'm not only training her, I try to help her be good at everything in her life," he says.
At first, she found it difficult to compete in CrossFit, but workouts and weights were scaled appropriately and she made progress. Rivera always believed in her capabilities. It was the high-intensity factor of CrossFit that motivated and convinced her this was her sport.
While Navarrete is currently in school, she makes time to train every afternoon. Rivera carefully programs for her to make sure she is not over trained.
Sports like weightlifting are not common among Chilean women, so when her friends heard what she was doing, it was not well received. She says she even lost a few friends. However, she has supportive friends and family who are there to encourage her.
“A friend is not only the one that is there just in time to play, a friend has to be there when you really need (them),” she says.
Her mother has also been a key supporter. Although she is still unconvinced about competition and her age, she takes her daughter to every competition and training session. Her mother is now prepared to support her daughter with time, finances and effort if she plans to become a professional athlete.
"Lia is an athlete whichever way you look at it, and I have no doubt that, in a few years, she will be a well recognized CrossFit athlete,” Rivera says.
With her other commitments, the Open is the perfect type of competition.
"CrossFit looks for the most complete athlete, regardless of age,” Navarrete says.
In Chile, CrossFit is a new sport. Although still somewhat unknown, it is nonetheless growing quickly. Kids in Chile usually practice tennis, football and gymnastics, if anything.
Navarrete scored 134 reps on 13.1 and a little more than six rounds on 13.2 for 182 reps. Next, she’ll take on 13.3 — wall balls, double-unders and muscle-ups.
