Last weekend, from 13 to 15 December 2024, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, hosted the largest and most anticipated edition of the iF3 World Championships. The event was held at the Dr. Koltai Jeno Sports Kozpont, calling back 824 athletes from 36 countries: a true celebration of functional fitness on a global scale.
The 2024 edition has been renamed “Super Worlds”, in honor of the Olympic year, uniting all categories in one big event, thus becoming the most inclusive and prestigious competition in the history of iF3.
Index
The Six Trials: The Heart of the Competition
As every year, the athletes faced six well-defined tests, each of which tested a specific physical capacity:
- Endurance - Resistance aerobics and ability to sustain prolonged efforts.
- Strength – Test of force pure with high loads.
- In this test, the blue Mattia Gamberoni triumphed in his category by lifting an incredible load of 137 kg, a result that impressed athletes and spectators.
- bodyweight – Skill and endurance in free body exercises.
- Skill – Precision and control in complex and technical movements.
- Mixed – Combining different skills in a balanced workout.
- Power – Explosiveness and speed in high intensity exercises.
This facility provided a comprehensive assessment of the athletes’ fitness, highlighting preparation, strategy and adaptability.
The Azzurri in the Race: Italian Pride
Italy showed up with a solid representation in the categories Open, Master e Junior, in addition to the prestigious Team Italy. All participants have qualified through the Affi Finals 2024 and also through live qualifying events.
Here are the results of the Italian athletes who gave their all in the race:
Master Male 40-44
- Maurizio Cesali – 12th place, excellent result in a very competitive category.
- Renato Fezia – 18th place.
- Carlo Fabris – 32th place.
Master Female 40-44
- Valentina Tiberi – 30th place, demonstrating commitment and resilience.
Master Male 50-54
- Francis Barnabas – 21st place, a very respectable placing.
Master Female 50-54
- Paula Cerrone – 15th place.
- Barbara Giacon – 16th place, finishing just behind her teammate.
Master Male 55-59
- Sergio Deledda – 12th place, a significant result in this category.
Master Male 30-34
- Mattia Casavecchia – 30th place.
- Ivan Buonfiglio – 32th place.
Master Female 35-39
- Khrystyna Bagai – 11th place, excellent performance and just a hair's breadth away from the top 10.
- Catherine Palaces – 20th place.
Master Male 35-39
- Luciano Martini – 8th place, the best Italian placing in the Master categories.
- Lorenzo Ranalli – 19th place.
- Mark Russo – 24th place.
Open Male
- Mattia Gamberoni – 21st place, with an extraordinary victory in the test of strength, lifting up 137 kg.
- Alberto Perillo – 26th place.
- Lorenzo Half-soma – 38th place.
Open Female
- Evelin Meler – 23th place.
Team Italy
The team composed of Alice De Val, Monica Martinuzzi, Davide Bugada and Matteo Ferrazzo got a fantastic 8 th, honorably representing the Italian flag.
Junior Male 15-16
- Francesco Chisari – 13th place.
Junior Male 17-18
- Lorenzo Ligato – 8th place, the best result among young Italians.
- Alessandro Profumo – 12th place.
International Protagonists: Winners and Revelations
In the women's competition, the Swiss Mirjam Von Rohr 🇨🇭 conquered the highest step of the podium, demonstrating once again her incredible preparation and consistency. After an extraordinary year that saw her as the protagonist in the CrossFit Open, Mirjam closed this season as a true world champion.
The British team came in second Ella Wilkinson 🇬🇧, who impressed with her combination of strength, endurance and precision. Rounding out the podium was the Swiss Nicole Heer 🇨🇭 took third place with a solid and consistent performance, giving Switzerland a double of excellence in this category.
The reigning champion, however, was absent from the event Matilde Garnes 🇳🇴. Matilde had to withdraw due to an aggravated infection after competing in the Dubai Fitness Championship with bronchitis.
With great regret, the Norwegian athlete shared her disappointment, emphasizing the missed dream of becoming world champion for the third time in a row. However, she has already promised a stronger comeback for the 2025 edition.
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Among the Men
In the men's competition, the Swiss Colin Bosshard 🇨🇭 reconfirmed himself as world champion, successfully defending his title with impeccable performances. Colin was able to maintain the concentration and solidity necessary to excel in every test, consolidating his status as an elite athlete in the functional fitness scene.
The British placed on the second step of the podium Tom Kingdon 🇬🇧, who surprised with his resilience and ability to adapt to the different challenges of the competition. Rounding out the top 3, the German Lenn Postel 🇩🇪 took third place, demonstrating talent and determination.
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The Success of Functional Fitness in Italy
The Italian participation in such a prestigious event represents a further step forward for the movement of functional fitness in our country. Athletes of different ages and categories have demonstrated not only competitiveness, but also team spirit and passion.
Il Team Italy, with 8th place in the team category, has collected consensus and results that give hope for the future.
Conclusion: A Historic Event
- iF3 World Championships 2024 have once again established Hungary as an international stage for functional fitness. The event not only celebrated sports competition, but also brought together athletes from all over the world in a shared experience of passion, sacrifice and commitment.
For the blue, these results represent a springboard for the next competitions. Italy is there and continues to grow, ready to reach new goals on the international stage.
