Change is afoot in the CrossFit masters community.
CrossFit CEO Eric Roza and General Manager of Sport Dave Castro had several conversations with various masters athletes and groups, including the Masters Fitness Collective, an organization that provides resources for masters athletes and helps them make lifelong connections. The takeaways? More divisions, more representation, more coverage.
CrossFit is excited to announce that there will be two new age divisions added to the roster in the 2021 CrossFit Open: Men and Women ages 60-64, and Men and Women ages 65+. To qualify for these new divisions, athletes must reach the given age bracket by July 14, 2021.
“We’re always listening to the community and taking into consideration what they’re hoping to see," Castro said. "Adding these new divisions was a clear answer to the call for more representation and we’re excited to see the masters competition expand.”
Masters athletes make up a large part of the CrossFit community, and CrossFit is thrilled to respond to the community’s aspirations by adding two new age divisions, allowing for a broader representation of some of the most inspirational athletes in our sport.
The Path to the Games
The Open
For athletes who aspire to compete at the Games, the 60-64 and 65+ divisions will follow the same path as the other age-group divisions. It all starts with the Open, beginning March 11. During this three-week online competition, athletes will compete in Open events specific to the masters divisions. Scaled or foundations versions of the Open events will be provided, so each masters athlete can choose the workout most appropriate for their ability level.
Age-Group Online Qualifier
Based on Open finish rank, the top 10 percent of masters athletes worldwide in each age division will qualify to compete in the Age-Group Online Qualifier, where they’ll have a chance to earn a spot at the Games. It is important to note that to qualify for the Age-Group Online Qualifier, masters athletes must complete the version of each Open workout that requires equipment. Most often, athletes who advance to the Age-Group Online Qualifier will also perform all the Open workouts as Rx’d, although it is possible to qualify otherwise. As noted in the Rulebook, advancement to the Age-Group Online Qualifier is determined by placement on the overall CrossFit Games Leaderboard, where Rx’d event scores are ranked higher than scaled scores.
The number of Games spots available to the 60-64 and 65+ divisions will depend on Open participation numbers for each division.
The Open is coming, and there are more ways to play than ever before.