James Newbury off to California to compete at the CrossFit world games in July

ADELAIDE athlete James Newbury is finally off to the CrossFit world games after four long years which ended in pain.

James Newbury working his core at CrossFit Gym in the city. Photo: Tait Schmaal.

ADELAIDE athlete James Newbury is finally off to the CrossFit world games after four long years which ended in pain.

The 25-year-old who runs the CrossFit gym in the city finished second at the regional championships in Wollongong last weekend to secure one of five spots for the world titles in California in July.

He had previously finished ninth in 2012, 11th in 2013, fourth in 2014 — when only three competitors made the cut — and 13th last year while battling a knee injury.

But this year he was almost unstoppable against 10,000 entries from across Australia and the Asia/Pacific region.

“Everyone says ‘are you happy?’,” Newbury said.

“And I am ridiculously happy but it’s more like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

“It’s been such a big goal and a dream to get to the world games and compete against 40 of the fittest guys in the world.”

CrossFit competition is a test of physical strength, endurance and skill both in and out of the gym.

Newbury in action at CrossFit Gym on Gilbert Street. Photo: Tait Schmaal.

Competitors at the world games will be scored on 10-12 events which can include for example a swim, 2km beach run, gymnastics work and a board paddle, a maximum deadlift, back squat or snatch, a 21km race on the rowing machine or 100 pull ups followed by a 1.6km run, 300 air squats and another 200 pull ups.

Newbury said he would love to finish in the top-15 at the worlds which are held in the US from July 20-25.

“I will prepare as best I can and put in lots of work,” he said.

“I don’t want to go there just to compete, I want to do well and top-15 would be amazing.”

Newbury is from Adelaide and discovered CrossFit in 2011 when he moved to Sydney to play rugby league.

“A friend of mine suggested I do it to help my pre-season training,” he said.

“By the end of the season I was enjoying CrossFit more than footy.”

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Originally published as James Newbury off to California to compete at the CrossFit world games in July