At the end of the CrossFit Games when the Fittest Man, Woman and Team are crowned, CrossFit also recognizes an athlete with a Spirit of the Games Award. This year added another award to the mix: The National Champion Award.
Shadad Budebs, the National Champion of United Arab Emirates, received the inaugural award. Budebs was the first female UAE athlete to compete at the CrossFit Games.
Unfortunately for Budebs, she was not on the Coliseum floor to accept her award, but she did come back to get her plaque and take some pictures with the community. She also shared how grateful she was for receiving the distinguished award on Instagram.
“I’m speechless and beyond blessed! I came, I represented and I will come back again! This is a message to all the Arab women. We can be national athletes and we can reach to high level competitions! We are here and we will come back stronger!” said Budebs.
Budebs stole the show to start Event 1. Budebs showed her speed on the first 400-meter run by entering North Park in first place. She completed the first round of legless rope climbs and snatches and one more 400-meter run before the time expired. Budebs finished 86th overall.
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