Andrea Nisler, Taylor Williamson, Chase Hill, and Rich Froning arrived in Madison holding several CrossFit Games records. It was clear CrossFit Mayhem Freedom would be a dominant team coming into the 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games, but what people didn’t know was just how record-breaking its performance would be.
On the first day of competition, the team won four-straight events, surpassing the previous record — the team’s own, from 2018 — of three consecutive first-place event finishes. Some races were closer than others, but Mayhem managed to squeeze in an extra rep or sprint into the endzone to ensure a win in most tests. If the teammates felt the pressure, they kept a good poker face as they put their best foot forward while backed by cheers from the crowd.
Photo by Duke Loren
Part of the team’s success likely comes from its unwillingness to let down its guard. Despite a significant lead heading into Day 2, the team banked yet another event win to start the day.
General Manager of Sport Dave Castro created tests to slip up the best of the best, and team Mayhem’s members passed with flying colors. Give them a slick plexiglass pegboard; no problem. Put ‘em in a kayak — easy. Prescribe a Bob that the team had never trained with before? Bring it on.
Whatever the test, Mayhem met with strategy and control. The team finished in the top five in 11 of the 12 total events, taking its worst finish — a still-solid sixth place — in Event 10, and the fan favorites never dropped below first overall.
Photo by flsportsguy photography
Joining the reigning champions on the podium for the first time in CrossFit Games history: CrossFit Oslo and CrossFit Genas, both affiliates from Europe. The teams were at Mayhem’s heels for the entirety of the competition, pushing the champion team to its limits.
But despite the field of international teams fighting for victory, Mayhem defended its throne, fueled by the desire to perform even better than years past — and CrossFit Mayhem Freedom will add its name to another plate on the Affiliate Cup.
Photo by flsportsguy
