This season Dave Castro announced a new division for the Open. Teenagers for the first time ever where welcomed to join the five weeks of the gruelling workouts, and win a spot for the CrossFit Games in Carson, California. Two teen categories (14-15, 16-17), and the top 10 in the world of each one would get the golden ticket; no pre-qualifiers, straight to the big one.
Though there were a few negative comments on social media, on the fairness of this new strategy, especially for not having a qualifier, like for Masters or individuals who have to battle it out at the Regionals, before qualifying to the Games.
Whether you agree or not, the fact is that there are some cool guys and girls emerging from this division, with some of them having really impressive lifting skills as well.
One of the new young athletes is Bryan Hernandez, born in Cuba, but moved to Spain with his mother at the age of 5. He trains at CrossFit Lanzarote in The Canary Islands – Spain.
After 15.1 was over, the fuss about this young man was tremendous.
Just like a big storm, ” El Niño” (The Kid) has arrived.
He finished 1st in Europe, and 6th in the world.
I asked myself: “Where did this guy come from over sudden?”
Who is Bryan Hernandez?
Here’s our chat.
Antonio: Hi Bryan, first of all, congratulations from all of us at BOXROX. What a great achievement, you have the entire Spanish community routing for you. Tell us a little bit about yourself, and how long you have been training Crossfit?
Bryan: Hi Antonio, thank you for this opportunity. My name is Bryan Hernandez, I am 17, and I train at CrossFit Lanzarote.
I started Crossfit just over 12 months ago. I did gymnastics since the age of 5, but quitted 2 years ago. I competed at a few events in the Canary Islands, and managed to win a few gold medals, but then I discovered Crossfit, and was totally drawn to it.
Do you follow any particular training program, and if so, who programs your workouts?
My Coach Eva Cortiella does my programming, and works with me on my weaknesses. Before the Open I was training 5 times a week, around 2 hours a day, but because I am still at school, that comes first. Eva has a lot of experience in this field. I also tried to follow her advice on a good diet, but I do not follow Paleo.
After the last WOD at the Open, what was your reaction, when you saw your name at the top of the list?
I was really relieved when I found out the top 10 in the world would qualify, and I was 6th. I had set in my mind that I would have to work harder to be there. So I was very happy with the results. I remember running home to tell my mother, it was really special, because it was her birthday on that day. My plan was always to try my best and qualify for Regionals in 3 years time, but never in my mind I would have thought, I would go straight to the CrossFit Games before that.
What do you want to achieve in the next 5 years?
I hope I go to Regionals in 3/5 years time as an Elite Athlete, and the Games in the States again, this time as an Elite athlete. Why not.
What’s your Favourite WOD?
I don’t have a favourite WOD, maybe “Amanda”, but am most comfortable with any which has gymnastics in it, pistols, chest to bar, muscle Ups,etc. I have learn to enjoy weightlifting too. Snatch is definitely my favourite.
What is the WOD, or movement you hate the most, and why?
I hate deadlifts, don’t know why. I need to practice and get better at them.
Have you entered any competitions, or was the Open your first?
I did a couple of competitions here at home: Lanzarote Beach challenge, and Fitforall and the Madrid Throwdown. I managed to compete along side elite athletes, and really good names in our sport. I got 4th and 2nd place in both. It’s all quite new to me still.
How do you feel about going to the Games?
I feel really exited, lots of emotions. I never thought that Dave Castro was going to go ahead with the Games for my category, so I did not want to think too much about it. But now that’s it, it is official. I can’t wait.
Now the training starts so I can be in top shape at my best. I will train hard, and do my best to be injury free. I would never imagine going to the States with my mother. We are now planning to do a nice tour across the States.
Benchmarks?
Clean and jerk: 117 kg
Snatch: 95 kg
Deadlift: 160 kg
Backsquat: 150 kg
Max muscle ups unbroken: 16
Eva Cortiella, Bryan’s coach on her young athlete:
Eva: This young man has so much potential, and thank god he has set a clear mind what he wants. What I like about Bryan, is that he is so disciplined, but above all, I see that he has a lot of fun with it too, which in my opinion is very important. We all love him at CrossFit Lanzarote, and we spoil him, he is our kid. I have a felling that the American Crossfit community will go crazy, and fall in love with him. I just wish I could go see him compete.
I am very proud of him, in fact we all are very proud of him.
My thoughts:
This is what the Crossfit community is all about, and what Crossfit does best: be able to make people like Bryan become good ambassadors of our sport, and to grow into great athletes.
With his impressive achievements in 12 months, already competing with elite athletes and making a lot of noise in our community. I can only foresee what the future holds for this young man.
My advice to him, if I may of course: “Be wise, train hard but safely, stay grounded, don’t let this go to your head. Be humble, but most important, have fun with it.”
Good luck at the CrossFit Games Bryan. And special congratulation to CrossFit Lanzarote, athlete/coach Eva Cortiella and her team, for yet again another great achievement.
Until my next post,
keep crossfitting,
Antonio Alves
The post Bryan Hernandez – Europe’s #1 Teen Male Athlete going to the The CrossFit Games appeared first on BOXROX.