Can Canadian Brent Fikowski play giant slayer at the 2019 CrossFit Games?
- Having finished fourth or better in last three years, the 28-year-old Kelowna, British Columbia athlete talks 2019 chances, China’s first Sanctional and if he’s still eating beef tongue
The American, who currently leads the 2019 CrossFit Open, has shown his dominance, having finished second in 2014 and 2015 before taking three titles in a row. He also booked his ticket for 2019 at the first ever CrossFit Sanctional in late 2018 in Dubai.
Two potential giant slayers hail from the Great White North: 28-year-old Canadians Patrick Vellner (currently 32nd in the Open), who came second last year, and Brent Fikowski, who came fourth.
Fikowski, a former professional volleyball player who lives and trains in Kelowna, British Columbia, also came second at the CrossFit Games in 2017, and took some time to chat with the South China Morning Post about his chances and current regime.
Q: You’re pegged as one of the potential athletes who could upset Fraser this year, what do you think your chances are and what needs to happen?
I’ll let the media make up the odds on my chances if they want to, I’m just focused on becoming as fit as I can to give myself the best possible chance at winning. I definitely think it’s a possibility that I can be the best in the world but I’m focusing on all the work that needs to get done before that happens.
Q: Can you tell me how you got into CrossFit?
I was briefly introduced to some of the training styles of CrossFit in 2010 by my volleyball coach at Lethbridge College [in Alberta, Canada]. Things like burpees, power cleans and kipping pull-ups. But it wasn’t until May of 2012 that I joined CrossFit Broadbeach on the Gold Coast in Australia [Fikowski has a Bachelor of Commerce from Griffith University Gold Coast]. At the time I only joined hoping it would help me become a better athlete for volleyball, but within a few months I really enjoyed competing.
Q: You will be attending the Asia CrossFit Championship from April 27-29 in Shanghai. Will this be your first time in China? What are your expectations for the competition?
I’m really excited for the competition and, yes, this will be my first time travelling to China. My wife has family that lives in Beijing so we’re excited to hopefully meet with them while we are there. I’m doing as much as I can in preparation for the event, like arriving quite far in advance to make sure I am prepared for the madness of such a large city. But I am sure I will still run into some unique and unexpected challenges.
Q: Will this be the Sanctional you’re hoping to qualify for the Games at?
Yes, my plan is to win this Sanctional so I qualify for the CrossFit Games with that placing. I am competing in the CrossFit Open currently [Fikowski is ranked 105th] but the plan has been to only do the Open to secure a strong seed position once I do qualify for the Games through a Sanctional.
Q: Anything unusual about your diet these days? I know when chatting with GQ Magazine you mentioned you like eating beef tongue?
Nothing in my diet has changed very much over the last year. Just lots of quality meat and vegetables to keep up with my training. I still eat beef tongues and hearts quite regularly because they’re a cheap way to get quality meat.
Q: What’s the CrossFit scene like in Canada? Could the country become a CrossFit hub like Iceland?
I don’t think Canada will ever be quite like Iceland’s CrossFit culture just due to our larger population and land mass. But the CrossFit scene in Canada [the country has approximately 300 CrossFit “boxes”] is quite strong with a lot of great gyms and an evolving competition landscape that’s trying to rival the big events held in the US. I hope in the next few years Canada will continue its growth into a fitness powerhouse.
Q: What are your thoughts on CrossFit’s new rule changes which did away with the Regionals, are they good for the sport, but bad for the Games?
I think whenever there are big rule changes in a sport it takes everyone a little time to adapt: the fans, athletes, coaches, and companies. I’m really optimistic that after this tumultuous first year it will settle itself throughout 2019 and 2020 and a more vibrant and stronger CrossFit competition season will emerge for everyone.
Q: Anything quirky or superstitious about your regime or lifestyle these days?
Oh, I wish I had something really bizarre to share here but nothing comes to mind. I know when I was a younger athlete I was pretty superstitious, I would only wear certain clothes and eat certain treats for good luck. But I gave that up a long time ago when I realised it was nonsense and could potentially do more harm than good if I ever lost my favourite clothes or couldn’t find my treats. I suppose something unique about me that most people don’t know is that I have a large vinyl record collection that I enjoy and continually add to.
