23.2 CrossFit Open Preview: Vellner vs Khrennikov

Week 2 of the 2023 CrossFit Open heads to CrossFit Bison in Midland Park, New Jersey, where Pat Vellner and Roman Khrennikov will square off following the announcement of the 23.2 workout. The match-up comes after 23.1 where Khrennikov holds the top score, but by just two reps. And of course, there is some controversy after Khrennikov’s judge touched his monitor, which appears to be against the rules laid out in the official workout description.

But while we may not know the official results of 23.1 by the time of the 23.2 Open announcement, we do know that Pat and Roman will put on a show in New Jersey.

Let’s take a look at how the two athletes have compared over the years during Open workouts.


2019 CrossFit Open

  Vellner Khrennikov
19.1 378 reps 389 reps
19.2 16:11 426 reps
19.3 9:58 179 reps
19.4 8:33 9:35
19.5 8:05 8:41
Overall 30th 63rd

2020 CrossFit Open

  Vellner Khrennikov
20.1 8:38 9:00
20.2 988 reps 986 reps
20.3 6:29 7:30
20.4 16:29 17:40
20.5 10:09 10:14
Overall 1st 10th

2021 CrossFit Open

  Vellner Khrennikov
21.1 12:39 14:02
21.2 9:27 10:53
21.3 7:46 9:25
21.4 287 lbs 308 lbs
Overall 20th 63rd

2022 CrossFit Open

  Vellner Khrennikov
22.1 330 reps 330 reps
22.2 7:33 9:15
22.3 4:56 4:58
Overall 69th 138th

Over the past four years, there have been 17 Open workouts. Of those, Vellner has had the better score 14 of those workouts. The only two workouts that Khrennikov has done better is 19.1 (a couplet of rowing and wall balls) and a max lift barbell complex. Outside of those two, Vellner has held the advantage every other time.

Obviously, we don’t know what the workout will be on Thursday, but by past Open performances alone, Vellner has shown his ability to do really well in Open-style workouts. Will it hold up this Thursday at CrossFit Bison?

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