The 2024 CrossFit Africa Semifinal took place from May 31st to June 2nd at the Emerald Resort & Casino in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. Furthermore, this event was part of the final batch of Semifinal competitions for the season. However, over three days, athletes competed in six events in the Individual division. Also, when the points were tallied, Ruan Potgieter and Gemma Rader emerged as the winners.
Additionally, athletes faced a rigorous schedule, showcasing their skills and endurance across various challenging workouts. Moreover, the competition attracted top talent, all aiming to secure a coveted spot at the CrossFit Games. However, each event tested different aspects of fitness, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the competitors’ abilities.
In addition, Ruan Potgieter dominated the Men’s division with consistent performances throughout the weekend. Also, his determination and preparation were evident as he tackled each event with precision. Similarly, Gemma Rader excelled in the Women’s division. Moreover, She demonstrated remarkable strength and agility. However, both athletes’ victories were well-deserved, reflecting their dedication and hard work.
The 2024 CrossFit Africa Semifinal had the fewest qualifying spots for the CrossFit Games among all seven competitions. Moreover, only the top athlete in each division—Men, Women, and Teams—earned a place in the season finale. Lastly, this limited qualification has been a consistent feature of the Africa Semifinal in past years.
However, despite the high stakes and limited spots, the competition maintained a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Furthermore, athletes supported each other, pushing for personal bests and celebrating achievements. Moreover, the event highlighted the growing popularity and competitive spirit of CrossFit in Africa. Lastly, this sets the stage for exciting future competitions.
2024 CrossFit Africa Semifinal Official Results
Men
Ruan Potgieter emerged as the winner of the men’s division at the 2024 CrossFit Africa Semifinal. Moreover, his performance was exceptional, securing victories in three of the six events. Furthermore, he also achieved two 4th place finishes and one 9th place finish. Notably, this impressive consistency allowed him to accumulate 558 points. However, the next closest competitor had less than 500 points.
- Ruan Potgieter — 558 points (Qualified)
- Josh Kernot — 498 points
- Darren Zurnamer — 483 points
- Ruan Duvenage — 474 points
- Kealan Henry — 471 points
- Devin Ramsden — 461 points
- Callum Deeble — 450 points
- Stephan Enslin — 429 points
- Michael Van Tonder — 423 points
- Schalk Burger — 382 points
- Kaiden Steyn — 371 points
- Marlo Prinsloo — 369 points
- Dutoit Botha — 364 points
- Muanda Elias — 353 points
- CJ Ward — 335 points
Women
Knowing that only the winner qualifies for the CrossFit Games pushed the women’s division athletes to their limits. Moreover, after intense competition, Gemma Rader emerged as the winner. Also, she narrowly outperformed Christina Livaditakis by just six points. Furthermore, this slim margin highlights the intensity and competitiveness of their battle.
- Gemma Rader — 561 points (Qualified)
- Christina Livaditakis — 555 points
- Gilmari Reyneke — 534 points
- Tanha Bouffe — 492 points
- Leeverne Engelbrecht — 423 points
- Emma Holliday — 420 points
- Su-Elna Bester — 405 points
- Natalie Meaker — 402 points
- Jenna Goldie — 367 points
- Hannelize De Waal — 351 points
- Sunel Bekker — 334 points
- Brady Finkel — 327 points
- Suzaan Jacobs — 320 points
- Nicola Jacobs — 313 points
- Reegan Finkel — 313 points
Teams
Credit is due to two teams who battled fiercely at the 2024 CrossFit Africa Semifinal. Moreover, these teams were truly a level beyond anyone else. Furthermore, the winner was decided by just four points, with “CrossFit Tijger Valley Relentless” emerging victorious. Lastly, they won four events and placed second twice.
Additionally, On the other hand, “CrossFit Humble Hungry Driven Team Quest Tigerfit” also performed exceptionally. Furthermore, they won two events and placed second in the remaining four. Also, this close competition underscored the high level of skill and determination displayed by both teams.
- CrossFit Tijger Valley Relentless — 492 points (Qualified)
- CrossFit Humble Hungry Driven Team Quest Tigerfit — 488 points
- Pack Life CrossFit Wanderers — 452 points
- CrossFit Juggernaut Conquer — 436 points
- CrossFit Unboxed Elite — 348 points
- CrossFit Ira Howling Commandos — 333 points
- CrossFit Uncontained II — 323 points
- CrossFit Resuelto — 303 points
- CrossFit Krugersdorp — 295 points
- Motley Crew CrossFit Twinning — 291 points
View this post on Instagram
Individual Division Event Recap & Highlights
Workout 1
5 rounds for time:
- 800-meter run
- 10 clean and jerks
- Time cap: 30 minutes
Weights:
- Women: 125 lb (56.7 kg)
- Men: 185 lb (83.9 kg)
Men’s Results:
- Callum Deeble — 22:11
- Kealan Henry — 22:33
- Josh Kernot — 22:55
Women’s Results:
- Gilmari Reyneke — 23:50
- Gemma Rader — 24:27
- Hannelize De Waal — 24:35
Workout 2
5 rounds for time:
- 100 double-unders
- 20 toes-to-bars
- 10 front squats
- Time cap: 18 minutes
Weights:
- Women: 155 lb (70.3 kg)
- Men: 225 lb (102 kg)
Men’s Results:
- Ruan Potgieter — 13:37
- Ruan Duvenage — 15:17
- Kealan Henry — 15:28
Women’s Results:
- Gemma Rader — 15:53
- Christina Livaditakis — 16:20
- Sunel Bekker — 17:02
Workout 3
7 rounds for time:
- 10-calorie Echo bike
- 1 legless rope climb
- 10 box jump-overs
- 1 legless rope climb
- Time cap: 16 minutes
Heights:
- Women: 24-inch box, 15-foot rope
- Men: 30-inch box, 15-foot rope
Men’s Results:
- Devin Ramsden — 09:55
- Callum Deeble — 10:01
- Muanda Elias — 10:09
Women’s Results:
- Gilmari Reyneke — 13:15
- Emma Holliday — 14:24
- Christina Livaditakis — 14:32
Workout 4
For time:
- 400-meter row
- 96-foot handstand walk
- 600-meter row
- 120-foot handstand walk
- 800-meter row
- 72-foot handstand walk
- Time cap: 13 minutes
Men’s Results:
- Ruan Potgieter — 07:44
- Devin Ramsden — 08:05
- Michael Van Tonder — 08:05
Women’s Results:
- Christina Livaditakis — 09:25
- Gilmari Reyneke — 09:39
- Gemma Rader — 09:47
Workout 5
For time:
- 10 squat snatches by 2:00
- 8 squat snatches by 4:00
- 6 squat snatches by 6:00
- 4 squat snatches by 8:00
- 2 squat snatches by 11:00
- Time cap: 11 minutes
Weights:
- Women: 135 / 145 / 155 / 165 / 175 lb (61.2 / 65.8 / 70.3 / 74.8 / 79.4 kg)
- Men: 185 / 205 / 225 / 245 / 265 lb (83.9 / 93 / 102 / 111.1 / 120.2 kg)
Men’s Results:
- Ruan Duvenage — 07:27
- Kaiden Steyn — 08:24
- Alan Foulis — 08:44
Women’s Results:
- Christina Livaditakis — 07:39
- Gemma Rader — 07:40
- Tanha Bouffe — 08:20
Workout 6
For time:
- 30/22-calorie Echo bike
- 15 muscle-ups
- 72-foot dumbbell walking lunge
- Time cap: 6 minutes
Weights:
- Women: Two 70-lb (31.8-kg) dumbbells
- Men: Two 100-lb (45.3-kg) dumbbells
Men’s Results:
- Ruan Potgieter — 02:44
- Ruan Duvenage — 02:54
- Darren Zurnamer — 02:58
Women’s Results:
- Gemma Rader — 03:17
- Christina Livaditakis — 03:30
- Gilmari Reyneke — 04:05
View this post on Instagram
The upcoming and final stage of the season is the highly anticipated 2024 CrossFit Games, set to occur from August 8-12 at a new venue in Fort Worth, Texas. Moreover, this prestigious event will host 40 athletes in each individual division and 30 teams, marking the culmination of the CrossFit season with fierce competition and extraordinary performances expected.
Overview
The 2024 CrossFit Africa Semifinal, held from May 31st to June 2nd at the Emerald Resort & Casino in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, was the final Semifinal of the season. Furthermore, athletes competed in six rigorous events over three days in the Individual division. Also, Ruan Potgieter and Gemma Rader emerged as the champions, showcasing outstanding performances and securing their spots at the upcoming CrossFit Games.
Featured Image @2024 CrossFit Africa Semifinal Results – Photo Credit, @renegadegames, @crossfitgames (Instagram)
