The Pressure's On: Orlando Trejo

July 3, 2013

Mato Frisone

“I must prove that I’ve been working hard and that I’m more prepared than last year to be a true challenge for other competitors. I can do better, and now I’m sure about it.”
 

Orlando Trejo continues to show the Latin America Region that he’s the best. 

CrossFit fans in Latin America had great expectations for his performance at the 2013 Regional, and he did not fail them. Finishing with a total of 31 points, he finished 16 points above second-place finisher Conor Murphy, and 24 points above third-place finisher Joel Bran (55). After that exciting weekend in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Trejo is the Latin America Regional champion for the second year in a row. 

This year, Trejo says he had much to deal with the past year.   

“I felt a lot of pressure, more than last year,” Trejo says. “The other competitors are at a better level, and I came to the Regional over-trained and with injuries in my elbows and left knee. I came without being at 100 percent, and I knew it, so I had to face not only the other competitors, but myself.”

At the end of the first day, Trejo had accumulated just seven points, after finishing third in Jackie, second in the Overhead Squat Event and second in the Burpee/Muscle-up Event.

On Day 2, Trejo now had to face the 100s Event. No man in Latin America was able to finish, but he came the closest. Trejo was just two reps shy of finishing, earning first place.

“In Event 4, I felt really excited because of the fans,” he says. “They cheered me up and that gave me strength to carry on. My arms and my legs were tired, so I pushed myself to try to finish the workout for them.”

The surprise came with Event 5 — heavy deadlifts and high box jumps. High expectations were set and many were expecting Trejo to finish first. However, he finished in a disappointing 16th place.

“During Event 5, I felt the wear of the wall balls from Event 4,” he explains. “I felt like I had to go all out on Event 4 to catch up and felt very sore … I did my best trying to avoid any injury in Event 5.”

On Day 3, Trejo’s focus was on getting the work done while not flaring up any old injuries. He finished third in Event 6’s Chipper and fourth in Event 7. 

After seven events and one very hard weekend, Trejo was once again crowned the fittest man in Latin America.

Even with a podium finish, Trejo is not satisfied.

“Honestly, I think I did not show my full capabilities, although I gave my best at the time. I need to keep improving to be among the best of the world. I’m training thinking on what I need to (improve), especially focusing on my weaknesses.”

He adds: “I’m doing more mobility work, and dividing up my strength and skills training. Some days I do both, and others I just focus on what I need to improve.” 

Now, Trejo is ready to get back to Carson, Calif., and compete with the Fittest on Earth.

“I must prove that I’ve been working hard and that I’m more prepared than last year to be a true challenge for other competitors. I can do better, and now I’m sure about it.”