"When Emma started CrossFit, it was clear that she had an extreme work capacity with an engine straight out of a Ferrari," her coach, Gary McLean, says.
In a sea of Icelandic dominance in the Europe region, a relative newcomer to CrossFit stands out. Emma Keen, from Neath, Wales, UK started CrossFit in August 2011 and now stands tied for 3rd going into the Europe Regional.
Keen is no stranger to competitive sports. The 26-year-old hockey player represented Wales in Russia for the World Cup Qualifier Competition and captained her country during the Indoor Championships in Rouen. After a bout of glandular fever, or mono, took her out of hockey, she started training in her garage with a kettlebell, 400 meter runs and burpees. “CrossFit was initially just a quick fix while I recovered,” she says. “Not anymore. It's now my way of life. I live, eat, breathe and compete CrossFit.”
She now trains at CrossFit 365. The constant variety brings out the competitor and athlete in Keen. “CrossFit just gave me something that hockey never did,” she says. “It always changed. It always varied and the unknown scared me to the degree that I couldn't get enough of it.”
Keen’s coach, Gary McLean has been impressed with her stamina and ability to learn since starting CrossFit. “When Emma started CrossFit, it was clear that she had an extreme work capacity with an engine straight out of a Ferrari and a very eager personality to just get better,” McLean says. “Her initial skill set in gymnastic movements were probably her weakness and the fact that she'd never lifted weights didn't make her an immediate candidate to do as well as she did right from the get go. It was very clear the girl was an athlete and having an international career in hockey just affirms this.”
McLean says Keen has been a fast learner, noting she has learned technical lifting movements in months when it takes many athletes years to perfect. Combine this with her strength and ability to finish long met-cons, and she’s earned a nickname in her box.
“So the character Obelix from the Asterix stories was not allowed to drink any potion when it was time to fight the Romans like the rest of the villagers because he fell into the magic potion as a baby and the effects were permanent,” says McLean. “This has given rise to the perfect nickname for Emma – also known at our box as Obelix!”
The modest Keen feels like she still has a lot to work on, but is up for the challenge. “I think as I'm still so new to it, my weaknesses definitely outweigh my strengths. Strengths would be met-cons that are lung busters. I enjoy burpees, runs, box jumps and barbell work,” she says. “My weakness would be the gymnastic elements, like handstand walks.”
Keen sees the Regional Workouts as a way to see her development in the sport. “I'm looking forward to them all, to be honest, as they are heavy and gymnastic based, two things that I needed to work on specifically. So, for me I’ll see how much progress has been made. It has definitely changed the way in which I have prepared for Regionals. Diane will be fun; I've been working loads on HSPU, so [I’m] hopeful for a sweet time.”
This P.E. teacher doesn’t see herself making it to the CrossFit Games this year, but definitely wants to make it in the near future. “I'm young and naive really when it comes to the sport at the moment,” she says. “I aim to enjoy the experience this year and try and pinpoint what I am good at and need to work on. Then hone in on those for the year and hopefully make the Games next year. That’s the plan anyhow! I need to get stronger and improve my gymnastics. Other than that I have the drive and the motivation to get there and compete. I will get to the Games one day!”
McLean sees an easy approach to Keen making the Games. “In brief, more CrossFit.”
If she does make it past Regionals, she’ll have to consider her fiancé in the decision to compete in the Games. “I am getting married in August so not sure the fiancé would appreciate moving the wedding date, but if I did make the Games I'm sure he would be cool.”
