With everything going on with Sanctionals and the upcoming 2019 CrossFit Open, you might have missed the news that Ben Smith had surgery last month. Smith, nine-time CrossFit Games veteran and the 2015 champio, had surgery on his left knee to repair a meniscus tear, remove a cyst and repair some cartilage damage under the knee cap.
Smith has not shared too much of his recovery over the past few weeks on social media, but yesterday he showed his upper body strength as he knocked out seemingly effortless strict muscle-ups and some movement on the Assault Bike.
Smith’s plan is to compete in his 9th consecutive CrossFit Open, although it may be difficult to finish in the top 20 to earn a ticket to the CrossFit Games. While the stakes were different in previous years, Smith has not finished in the top 20 worldwide in the Open since 2015 where he finished 3rd. The last three years Smith has finished 65th, 42nd and 40th.
If Smith is able to qualify for the 2019 CrossFit Games it would be a record-breaking 10th Games appearance in a row.
Stay tuned to The Barbell Spin to get all the latest updates of the 2019 CrossFit Games season!
