The last time the Down Under CrossFit Championship was held in Wollongong the event at WIN Entertainment Centre sold out on the Sunday.
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Two years later and the organisers are expecting that will happen again at the event that acts as the final qualifier for the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games.
Championship director Mick Shaw said the action in Wollongong on Saturday was not only in the arena but on an iconic city beach.
Mr Shaw said by incorporating some of the scenic settings of Wollongong the event was both diverse and challenging for competitors from around the globe.
They all have their eyes on the ultimate prize and a first place finish automatically qualifies them to compete in the world event.
There are 80 male and 80 female elite athletes competing individually over the three days as well as 40 teams vying to be crowned the fittest and named Down Under CrossFit Champion.
And in doing so earning an invitation to compete at the World CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Among the individual male competitors with a real chance is Illawarra's Luke De Jonge who recently turned 19.
Mr De Jonge, of Woonona, is competing in his first CrossFit Games in Wollongong and said it was really good to be able to sleep in his own bed each night and have so much local support from the stands.
After competing in five events during the first two days he ended Saturday in seventh place overall and is looking forward to a strong finish on Sunday.
"Today went really well," he said.
"I competed in the Australian CrossFit Championships in Queensland two months ago."
Media director John Bric said while the majority of the competitors during the weekend were from Australia and New Zealand many had come from other countries such as the USA, Great Britain and Brazil.
Mr Bric said many traveled with an entourage of supporters which accounted for many of the spectators in the stands over the weekend.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
