Out of Will Powell’s eight CrossFit Games masters appearances, he has won four. After taking fourth in his debut appearance in the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games Masters Men 50-54 Division, he took first the next year in the same division before winning back-to-back victories in the 55-59 Division in 2015 and 2016. Powell also won the Masters Qualifier in 2015 and 2016, winning all three stages—Open, Qualifier and the Games—in 2016. In 2017 Powell competed with a cantaloupe sized benign tumor on his left lung. With less than half lung capacity in that lung he pulled out a 12th place finish. He returned home to have the tumor removed three days later. He spent most of 2018 working his way back to top shape, and less than a year post surgery Powell took a 3rd place in the 2018 Crossfit Games. A former D1 collegiate track-and-field athlete, Powell started CrossFit in 2012 and is also a professional drug free bodybuilder. Powell came back to claim his fourth title of 2021 Fittest on Earth in the 60-64 Division. With this title he made history as the first athlete to win in 3 different age brackets.
Will found out on a routine follow up visit with his surgeon in October 2021 that his tumor had returned. He had a 7.5 hour surgery in November to remove 4 tumors and 1.5 liters of fluid. His is once again fighting his way through the CrossFit Games qualifying rounds. He is getting stronger each week, and is happy to be recovered enough to compete. In May of 2023 Will underwent another surgery to remove multiple tumors throughout his pleura. He has undergone 4 types of chemo trying to control this rare form of sarcoma. The forth chemo combination is showing some good results. After missing more than 8 months of training, he is happy to be able to workout again and is looking forward to being part of the 2024 Open.
