The second day of the 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games individual competitions kicks off today. However it will be doing so without Kara Saunders, as she has decided to withdraw from the competition.
Saunders is a 9-time veteran of the Games, even scoring as high as second place in 2017. She did not make it to the Games the last two years, so fans were excited to see how she would do in Madison, Wisconsin this year.
Unfortunately, after ending the first day in 34th place, Kara decided to withdraw from the 2021 CrossFit Games. She made the announcement with a post to her Instagram, citing issues with COVID-19 and her recovery from this, as reasoning for her decision.
Kara Saunders Withdraws from 2021 CrossFit Games
“I gave it a nudge but it wasn’t to be. My health 100% comes first and after attempting a day of competition I realised that all it was doing was sending me backwards while my body is still trying to heal,” Saunders wrote.
“As always I sacrificed so much to be here, even more so this year by leaving my baby girl for 5 weeks. I’ve cried every single day since I left, got COVID in transit, and I’m now withdrawing from the @crossfitgames after all of that.
It’s been an emotional rollercoaster ride to say the least, but honestly, shit just happens. So many people have lost everything to this pandemic and I just didn’t get to compete, so I still consider myself pretty lucky,” Saunders continued.
“Thank you to the medical and support crew for having my back and giving me the opportunity to compete, and my sponsors for supporting me through it all. And thank you to everyone for sending me such kind messages always.
Good luck to all the fierce ladies throwing down this year, enjoy every second!”
Kara Saunders’s Performance at The 2021 CrossFit Games
While it was not the outcome she was hoping for, Kara Saunders did go through the CrossFit Games for at least one day. That said, it was clear from her performance that she was not at her best for this competition.
Here is a recap of her performance from the 2021 Games:
Event One (1-mile swim with fins, 3-mile kayak; scored for time):
- Saunders finished this event in 20th place, with a time of 1:16:36, falling about 6 minutes short of Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr’s first place time of 1:10:46.
Event Two (126-ft. sled drag, 5 Pig flips, 12 muscle-ups, 12 bar muscle-ups, 12 bar muscle-ups, 12 muscle-ups, 5 Pig flips, 126-ft. sled drag; scored for time):
- Kara Saunders was unable to finish this event before the 12 minute time cap, ending in 29th place with a score of CAP+3.
Event Three (550-yard sprint; scored for time):
- In this race for time, Saunders came in last place with a time of 1:50:11.
Event Four (wall walks and thrusters, performed for 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 reps; scored for time)
- For the last event of Day One for individuals, Kara Saunders was unable to complete the event within the 20-min time limit, ending in 33rd place with a score of CAP+1
Total after Day One: 93 points (34th place)
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It is disappointing but understandable why Kara Saunders decided to opt out of the rest of the 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games. Hopefully we will see her back next year, healthy and ready to contend for the title of Fittest Woman on Earth®.
