Eighth Fittest Teen in World denied US Visa Left Unable to Compete at CrossFit Games

More athletes have been left without the opportunity to compete at the CrossFit Games after having their visas denied for the USA.

Brazilian teen athlete Dudinha Souza won’t be able to prove herself on the biggest and most prestigious event of the CrossFit season.

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“What eles an athlete needs to do to prove an immigrant officer that she/he is eligible to and DESERVE to be accepted to enter the country that’s hosting the most important competition of the year? Besides qualifying thru a very hard cycle of secondary competitions, besides achieving all the legal requirements to be there, besides gathering sponsors and sorting the monetary aspect out – which is super relevant if you come from a third world country – it seems that having everything rightfully planned still not enough. What aggravated the situation is the fact that is no longer a “privilege” of South and Central Americans and Africans, it has been also affecting a small percentage of Europeans. Athletes are in general ambassadors of the sports they have dedicated their lives to. Sports have historically been proved as the best platform of unification and to spread peace. Crushing someone’s dream whilst seated behind an immigration booth with a micro perception of what that’s person life is, is just obscene. Life is unfair one said, it looks like the one was right.” I’LL COME BACK STRONGER @semperfit_official @igolasfitness @wodndone @purvitaewodnutrition @brazuca_training @box3070crossfit #mylifestyle #crossfitteens #crossfitgirls #crossfit #teens #coachleosouza #teamleosouza #clinicareviv #TeamRibas #semperfit #purvitaewodnutrition #igolasfitness #savagebarbell

A post shared by Dudinha (@dudinhasouzacf) on Jul 23, 2019 at 4:40am PDT

The news come after we reported on Roman Khrennikov, who qualified to the CrossFit Games through the Dubai CrossFit Championship, having his visa denied and being left unable to participate at the Games for a second year running.

Fourteen-year-old Dudinha finished the Age Group Online Qualifier ranked 8th in the world, earning so one of the 10 Girls (14-15) qualifying spots to the CrossFit Games.

The Brazilian athlete moved to Portugal two years ago and has been practicing CrossFit since she was 10 years old.

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E hoje mais um sonho se realiza! O trabalho duro de 4 anos me direcionou a este momento. Eu classifiquei para o Crossfit Games Categoria 14/15 anos, a maior competição de Crossfit! Fiquei em 8° lugar, numa disputa forte e dura, com meninas de um nível fenomenal! Tenho muitas pessoas para agradecer e vou tentar não esquecer de ninguém! Primeiro ao meu pai e Coach @leosouzacf que permanece todos os dias comigo nesta luta, sem ele eu estaria perdida! Ele me orienta, ajuda, briga, me faz rir e consegue me entender melhor do que ninguém e evoluímos muito ao longo dos anos e vamos melhor cada vez mais! Depois ela, @dominicicecilia a MÃE que a vida me deu. Minha mãe, empresária, cozinheira , cabeleleira, fashion style e cúmplice. Ela vibra, chora, briga, ama e me bate (De leve) quando vou muito bem. Eu tenho toda a certeza desse mundo que sem essas duas pessoinhas eu não estaria escrevendo este texto. Passamos por muitas mudanças neste último ano, mudamos de país e tivemos que começar tudo do 0 e eles sempre me apoiaram. Queria agradecer também a toda galera de Brasília que sempre torceu por mim, a família @cerradocrossfit a família @noacrossfit e a família @centauruscrossfit . Agradecer ao @drjwribas que foi um médico sensacional e cuidou de mim sempre que precisava! A @gross.power que acreditou em mim bem no começo e sempre me mantia suplementada, @nathalianutricionista que foi a primeira nutricionista e me ajudou muito em relação ao meu ponto de vista na alimentação, @foco.fisioterapia que sempre me atenderam da melhor forma possível, ao coach @coachhoracio que fez meu LPO voar, @gymfitbrasil que com muito esforço, modelou a minha ginástica de hoje. Obrigada também a @laisaesantana minha madrinha do Crossfit que sempre me apoiou em tudo e ao @bsbstrong que foi nosso impulsor! Muito obrigada aos meus atuais apoiadores, em especial a @semperfit_official , que nos procurou logo quando chegamos em Portugal e ninguém nos conhecia, já estão comigo há um ano! Obrigada a minha nova casa @box3070crossfit , já estamos fazendo história. Thanks @wodndone for everything you're the bestest!Obrigada também aos parceiros @igolasfitness e @purvitaewodnutrition ! Rumo a Madison

A post shared by Dudinha (@dudinhasouzacf) on May 24, 2019 at 1:00pm PDT

It was the first year Dudinha could officially participate in the Open, and she said she could feel those four years of hard training paying off during the workouts – she felt strong. She had waited four years, was so excited, and the Open went great.

When the man at the embassy told her that she wasn’t going to the USA, the reason being she’s Brazilian and hasn’t lived in Portugal long enough, it was hard to believe, to say the least.

“It’s like it didn’t matter, the four years of hard training,” she told BOXROX. “It was shocking, for me and for my parents.”

She is not discouraged though and will continue to train as much as she has. “Next year I’ll do the Open again and hopefully qualify again. And hope the visa won’t get refused again,” she said.

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Justificativa da minha ausência no CrossFit Games 2019

A post shared by Dudinha (@dudinhasouzacf) on Jul 16, 2019 at 9:04am PDT

Earlier this week, The Barbell Spin reported that North Macedonia’s National Champions, Darko Tasevski and Viki Ristoska, also had their visas denied and will miss the Games as well.

If you are able to help, please get in touch with her @dudinhasouzacf.