About a month ago there were rumors that Kara Saunders would not compete at the 2023 Games for a personal reason. We all asked ourselves questions, but the answer was not long in coming.
Kara and her partner Matt have announced that they were "pregnant" on the Australian athlete's YouTube channel:
“We're having a baby,” Matt and Kara announced in the video!
Early February, Kara Saunders made a lengthy Instagram post saying she would not be attending the Open and, therefore, would not have aimed to compete at the CrossFit® Games this year.
“I was likely to take a break from competing this year after the wild years I've had in the sport and in life. My whole life revolves around my workouts for over ten years! I wouldn't change a thing, but sometimes you need to shift your focus to make sure you don't miss other important things!
I will not compete in the 2023 season. Unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Open either. I have never skipped one since the first one in 2011, even during pregnancy and the birth of my daughter. It's strange, but right now I have no choice. I'm always very transparent and honest, but some things need a personal moment. I will share more on this topic in my own time. Thank you for respecting it ☺️
I have always faced the competition year to year, so for now this is the only right move for 2023. I will continue to ride the wave and see where next year and the future takes me!”
Index
Who is Kara Saunders?
Kara is one Games veteran; took part in [virtually*] all Games since 2012, just skipping 2019 and this year!
Furthermore, it was Australia's Fittest Woman in 2017 and 2018 but, in 2019, she gave birth to her first daughter Scottie!
Incredibly, 9 months later he made his comeback, competing in a CrossFit® event, the Torian Pros, taking home the victory!
in 2021, Kara Saunders has been diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 shortly before the start of the CrossFit® Games, but tests showed his lungs were functioning at 10% capacity when he participated. She finished the first day of racing, but then she withdrew.
- Last placement at the CrossFit Games: 7th place
- CrossFit Games Best: 2nd (2017)
- CrossFit Games attendance: 10
- Positioning in the Worldwide Ranking System: 10th
- CrossFit Open best: 2nd (2018)
With Kara Saunders E Tia-Clair Toomey pregnant, the two strongest female athletes in Oceania, Ellie Turner (Justin Medeiros' girlfriend) she managed to win the title of strongest woman in Oceania!
Other athletes who have announced their retirement
Lucy Campbell: "Wrist problems"
The British athlete told about having suffered from wrist problems since the 2022 quarter-finals, that she somehow made it to the Games and kept pushing, but "it was getting worse."
“I could have chosen to face this season suffering every day. But the season has been one of the hardest of my life and I've felt so far away from myself that I can't accept that this misery is reality."
Campbell wrote that she is ready for the long haul, hoping to be pain-free and fitter than ever to fight for more than a 15th-20th place finish at the Games.
“I want to finish in the top 5. I want to be on the podium one day”.