Two Costa Rican men reflect on the Open
Photos by: Daniela Guardia Ortiz
After four weeks of the 2013 Open, Javier Hidalgo, from CrossFit 506, and Tomas Calvo, from CrossFit Escazu, are two Costa Rican men to watch closely in the Latin America Region.
Javier Hidalgo
Hidalgo has always practiced sports, starting when he was a child. He mostly played soccer, but through his teen and college years, he could often be found at a globo gym. Prior to CrossFit, though, he didn’t take fitness seriously.
“I was used to going to a conventional gym, but nothing special … just to be in shape,” he admits. “Two years ago, I visited my sister in Florida and she took me, for the first time, to a (CrossFit) box. I instantly knew this was my sport. At that time in Costa Rica, we didn’t have any boxes, so I started by watching videos on my own. At first, I wasn’t that good, due to my limited tools and knowledge.”
It’s a whole different story, now. CrossFit has Hidalgo’s full attention.
After almost two years, Hidalgo says one of his favorite things about CrossFit is competition. It’s his motivation to train everyday. He currently has a 275-lb. clean and jerk, a 475-lb. deadlift, a 210-lb. snatch and a 365-lb. back squat. While he’s sitting in 18th place after the first four Open workouts, he is already looking ahead to 2014. His goal is to be in the top 10 in the Open and Regionals.
“I know I have to be patient. I know everyone wants to go to the Games, as well and that will not come easy or quick,” he says. “But I want to be on the top 10 for the region and will continue working really hard in order to be there next year.”
A normal day for Hidalgo includes two hours of training, including weightlifting, endurance and gymnastics.
“I have a lot of discipline,” he says. “I think that is one of my skills. I always try to include in my daily routine some strength training or cardio in the morning, and then another hour of training in the afternoon. I make sure to include one day of rest and to always keep a good nutrition.”
Hidalgo also says this discipline is one of the key elements for success, so he always dedicates time to his weakness.
“Part of my daily routine includes time to work on my weaknesses, which believe me, there are too many of them,” he admits. “For example, I hate and am not good at running, so I have to work harder on that.”
Hidalgo says CrossFit athletes of all levels raise the bar each week of the Open, not to mention from year to year — himself included. Last year, he managed three muscle-ups in 12.4 and this year, he got 14 on 13.3.
Tomas Calvo
Calvo is located on the other side of Costa Rica. The 24-year-old physical therapist has always been an athlete. At first, he only began CrossFit as an additional tool to complement his work as a personal trainer at a globo gym. Eventually, he found himself dedicating more and more time to CrossFit.
He left the globo gym to open CrossFit Escazu, Costa Rica’s first affiliate.
While being the head coach and owner of a box, as well as a student, keeps him busy, he still finds an hour a day to train.
“My time is now limited, so I try to train the best I can,” he says. “I also use the help of my sister who is a nutritionist to guide me in following a healthy but balanced diet.”
“As a coach and athlete I´m really strict, first of all with myself, and then obviously strict with all the members of my box, including those not participating in the Open this year. It probably has to do with the fact that I am a really competitive person, always trying to give my best, to give my 100 percent on each workout.”
Even though this is his first experience with the CrossFit Games Open, he has a vast competition experience, mostly with endurance events.
“Personally, I just decided to participate in the Open to try out something different,” Calvo explains. “Due to a recent knee surgery, I didn’t have enough time to prepare and train as I should for the Open.”
After four weeks of the 2013 Open workouts, he has set new goals and objectives. Reaching a spot for Regionals has now become a part of his plan. Sitting in 41st place, it looks like he will just make the cut.
