This year marks the dawn of a new era of the CrossFit Games. With more athletes than ever, representing almost every nation on Earth, you would think it would be harder than ever to predict the podium come Sunday. And that might be true, but I have a sneaking suspicious that after all the events are done and dusted and all the points are tallied, there will be more than a few familiar faces standing atop the podium. Here are my predictions for the top-3 finishers for the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games.

2019 CrossFit Games Podium Predictions

1st – Mat Fraser

CrosFit Open – 1st
Rogue Invitational – 1st
Dubai CrossFit Championships – 1st

What more can possibly be said about Fraser? He is far and away the odds on favorite to win the CrossFit Games for the fourth year in a row. I’m not even sure what you could do to help level the playing field — make him run a marathon the day before? Make him wear a weight vest throughout the competition — maybe two? On top of that, and as if he needed any extra motivation, if Fraser locks up another victory at this year’s Games, it would tie him for most consecutive wins all-time with Rich Froning. Good luck to everyone else.

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2nd – Patrick Vellner

CrossFit Open – 30th
Wodapalooza – 1st
Rogue Invitational – 2nd

Patrick Vellner finally got the monkey off his back this year with a major competition win at Wodapalooza. Obviously, finishing on the podium at the Games the past three years is a greater accomplishment, but something has to be said about leading wire-to-wire against a strong field of competitors and coming out on top. Vellner has a history the past few years at the Games of some early-on slip-ups — something that may have cost him his chance to dethrone the champ. If Vellner can run a clean race and capitalize on his opportunities, expect a much tighter race than the last few years come Sunday.

3rd – Travis Mayer

CrossFit Open – 14th
Granite Games – 1st (2018, 2019)
Wodapalooza – 2nd
Dubai CrossFit Championship – 4th
Rogue Invitational – 6th

Travis Mayer found his “why.” After narrowly missing qualifying for the CF Games last year, Travis has been on nothing short of a tear in 2019. After winning the Granite Games twice, finishing in the top six at the Dubai Crossfit Championship, Wodapalooza, and the Rogue Invitational, it seems Travis is poised to make some noise with his return to Madison. Someone who excels at the out-of-the-box workouts the Games regularly throws at its athletes, a motivated Travis, with a chip on his shoulder no less, is an athlete to be afraid of.

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1st – Tia-Clair Toomey

Crossfit Open – 6th
Wodapalooza – 1st
Rogue Invitational – 1st

What’s the only thing two-time defending champ Tia-Clair Toomey has changed over the past year? Oh, just moved to Cookville to train with three-time defending champ Mat Fraser and four-time past champ Rich Froning. If iron sharpens iron, Tia must be as sharp as they come. Her victory at the Rogue Invitational against a stacked field of Games competitors proves just that. Look for Tia to be the first three-time women’s champion come Sunday at the CF Games.

2nd – Sara Sigmundsdottir

CrossFit Open – 1st
Wodapalooza – 3rd
Dubai CrossFit Championship – 3rd
CrossFit Strength in Depth – 1st
Rogue Invitational – 2nd

After having to withdraw from the CF Games last year due to injury, Sara seems to be coming back stronger than ever in 2019. Her resume bolsters an impressive four top-three finishes at some of the most competitive sanctionals throughout the season, as well as an overall victory in the 2019 CrossFit Open. She was even leading Tia-Clair Toomey until the final few workouts at the Rogue Invitational. Often overlooked, competing in and of itself is a skill that needs developing for most athletes — Sara included. Learning how to compete, something I think Sara greatly improved on this year, will make the battle between her and Tia something special.

3rd – Jamie Greene

CrossFit Open – 4th
Dubai CrossFit Championship – 2nd
Down Under CrossFit Championship- 2nd
CrossFit Strength in Depth – 2nd

Jamie Greene has been incredibly consistent over the years. From her placings in the Open to the Games, this year was no different. She placed 2nd in all three sanctionals she competed in and took 4th overall in the Open. This is the hallmark of a well-rounded athlete no matter what programming is thrown at her — xomething that will help her take the next step at the CF Games and finally reach the podium.

Main image: Mat Fraser/Instagram