Question marks surrounding Kara Saunders’ plans for the 2023 CrossFit Games season have been swirling for the last few months. But just three days from the start of the 2023 CrossFit Open, those questions have been put to bed. Saunders, a 10-time CrossFit Games veteran, announced on Instagram that she will not compete this season.
“It was likely that I would be taking this year off competing after the wild few years I’ve had in the sport and in life. My entire life has revolved around my training for over a decade now! I wouldn’t change a thing, but sometimes you need to shift your focus for a minute to make sure some other important things don’t get missed!” shared Saunders in her post.
She continued by saying that she will also miss her first CrossFit Open since 2011. Saunders even signed up for and competed through her pregnancy in 2019.
The reason she will not be competing, however, is not known. Saunders asked for some privacy regarding the situation saying, “It feels weird but at the moment I don’t have a choice. I’m always very transparent and honest but some things need a personal moment. I will be sharing more about this in my own time. Thank you for respecting that.”
Saunders stepping away from competition deals another blow to the Oceania region when it comes to looking for additional qualifying spots to the CrossFit Games. Guaranteed a minimum of three positions coming out of the Torian Pro Semifinal, there were thoughts that Oceania could grab one or two more.
However, those chances appear to be dashed as Saunders joins Tia-Clair Toomey on the sidelines for the 2023 CrossFit Games season. That leaves Ellie Turner as the highest ranking Oceania female at 31st in the current worldwide rankings.
Now, only Turner, Laura Clifton and Maddie Sturt sit inside the top 100 from the Oceania region. Jamie Simmonds has told The Barbell Spin that she will be competing out of the Oceania region this year, but she is currently ranked 4,580th in the worldwide rankings after sitting out the 2021 season with an injury.Â
Simmonds will likely add 2,970 points to her worldwide ranking score, bringing her close to the top 100. However, it may not be enough to gain an additional qualifying spot this year.
