With just a few days before the start of the 2023 TYR Wodapalooza Fitness Festival, several CrossFit Games veterans have withdrawn from the elite individual competition. Wodapalooza released the full roster of athletes competing last week.
Colten Mertens, Cole Sager, Giorgos Karavis and Enrico Zenoni have all since withdrawn from the elite individual competition. Sager was also slated to compete in the elite men’s team of 3 division as well. However, he has since been replaced by Dallin Pepper. Pepper will now compete on the team with Jayson Hopper and James Sprague.
In speaking with Mertens, he told The Barbell Spin that he has been in the hospital the past few days getting treatment. He is currently waiting on some test results to get more information.
Karavis told us that he has been dealing with a lingering back issue the past month and then twisted his ankle badly last week. He decided to forego traveling to the States and competing less than full strength in order to heal himself up for the 2023 CrossFit Open.
Zenoni injured his pec doing ring dips a couple months ago and is still working to get healthy. He expects to be ready for the Open.
Additionally, Saxon Panchik withdrew from both the individual and team competition last week. Panchik was replaced by Jacob Heppner on the Panchik Brothers team.
Wodapalooza is known for having late withdrawals and additions in previous years. Stay tuned to The Barbell Spin as we will be down in Miami to bring you coverage of Wodapalooza all throughout the week. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for our coverage!
