Only Three

In 2014, the only competitors going to the CrossFit Games are those who qualify at Regionals — no special invitations, no past-champ rule, no wild cards.

In the Central East Region, that means only the top three go to the Games, and the region is arguably the toughest one for male athletes. Among the competitors are two past champs, several top-10 Games finishers, and a whole line of tough athletes hungry for a ticket to Carson, California.

In this in-depth, emotional look at the men's competition at the Central East Regional, we follow the top athletes — Rich Froning, Scott Panchik, Graham Holmberg, Marcus Hendren, Nick Fory, Will Moorad, Nick Urankar, and Gerald Sasser — through seven events over three days.

In the end, two veterans and one rookie will represent the Central East Region at the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games.

Video by Sevan Matossian, Hayley Parlen, Matt Krautstrunk and Gary Roberts.

The CrossFit Games® - The Sport of Fitness™
The Fittest On Earth™

[figueroa]

20:18 "this is where I'm gonna getcha"

Marcus Hendren to Rich Froning
Favorite part of this overall awesome video!

[bs]

Best crossfit video I've seen since regionals!!! More vids like this!!! I wish Graham would have pulled it off ; he worked super hard that last day!!

[jobimzapico]

i'm really glad Chase pointed it out. everyone always makes a big deal about being cheered on if you finish last but ask the guys that finish last in comps and they'll tell you that it's a pretty sucky feeling

[williamjames]

The title of this video is so perfectly chosen, it got me goosebumps in the end. The first meaning is obvious, those who finish top 3 at regionals go to Carson. The second meaning is the special condition in the last event, when Holmberg needed to finish 4 places ahead of Moorad but managed to finish "only three" ahead of him. The way this documentary presented the climax was so unbelievaby awesome, with the music and the slow-mo shot. What a great regional event packed into in a beautiful piece of work!!!

[LordQuiche]

35:40 Great shot from the floor, hes stepping back to the rope, the judge steps up to the bay and all the other finished competitors approach out of focus behind.  Good stuff!

[vcebe]

Great video!!! Rich Froning isn't even real. The fact that he put in that performance while he had bronchitis just makes me feel like the most out of shape human on earth. The games are going to be a frickin blast!

[maxfit]

I'm a big fan of Graham. He's humble, works hard and a phenomenal athlete. I wish him the best.

[Husani]

Crossfit might want to consider taking the top 3 from each region as they currently do, as well as the 3 top scorers who did not place out of everyone in every region. That would incentivize better performances across the board as all competitors would finish stronger, making the regionals even more competitive than they currently are. And 3 additional competitors being added to the mix at the Games wouldn't over-complicate things. I guarantee one or some of those 3 people would place higher than some of the regional winners.

[thomasrogers]

This regional is always so compelling and so exciting! What a great video. Fory, urankar, and sasser definitely deserve this type of coverage.

[juliuskristianhind]

4:51, I like the fact that everybody is just wearing olympic shoes, wrist protection and knees support, and Rich Froning, just his nanos!! #theoneandonly  

[bucksmedia]

We need more lengthy videos like this. Great vid Sevan.

[ericroman]

Great video Sevan. You always produce videos of the highest quality. 

[lizhiggins]

Really great video! Even though I knew the outcome, I was mesmerized watching this. I absolutely love Graham and want to see him at the Games but Will is solid and I'm definitely a new fan. Just awesome to watch these guys.

[jonnytobz]

Hendren just became my fav crossfit athlete !!

[bingahgread]

17:02
Graham Holmberg in sixth, and in ninth place Graham Holmberg. What an exciting race.

[nofear]

6:35....that is why he is such an inspiration, Rich inspired me to be proud and strengthen my ties with the Lord and it has helped me grow as an athlete in more ways than just physically, spiritual strength is unmatched good luck champ the first Million dollar CrossFit athlete on the way!

[moikeyy]

Samuel Jackson kept popping in my head everytime I see the name Nick Fory. Nice video, can't wait to see Rich in the Games!

[camerceru]

I think it would be interesting to take the top three guys globally, that did not qualify in their region, and make them a wildcard region.

[AlexWan]

I can't tell who was more persistent: the crossfitters competing, or the fat dude trying to sell snow cones to a stadium full of health conscious crossfitters

[UGetThatThingISentYa]

Froning is such a beast...composure, class, strength, power, agility, and skill.  Hope he gets number 4 this year.

Hendren was awesome in this vid too and Graham seemed like he was having more fun.