Big brother Ben Garard has enjoyed his fair share of success over the years, but all eyes will be on Ricky Garard at the upcoming Australian Regional CrossFit Championships in Wollongong.
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The 21-year-old heads into his first national championships in fine form.
Garard was the sixth best Australian out of the 6300 which took part in the worldwide CrossFit Open competition which ran for five weeks and involved 320,000 competitors worldwide.
“Super-stoked’’ with this performance, the Southern Highlands CrossFitter now wants to back it up with at least a top-five showing in Wollongong on May 13-15.
And Garard has enlisted the help of his older brother Ben to help him achieve his goal of winning a ticket to the sport’s flagship event, the international CrossFit Games in Los Angles in July.
“Training with him has been awesome. He helps me a lot. Ben knows what it takes to get to the top,’’ Garard said.
“We spur each other on. Like all brothers we enjoy a friendly competitive rivalry. Neither of us likes to lose, especially Ben, as he is six-years older than me.’’
Garard’s success is quite impressive considering that he only took up the sport full-time at the end of 2014.
Before then he was playing fullback for the Canberra Raiders’ Holden Cup rugby league team.
“I had two seasons with the Raiders, which I really enjoyed,’’ Garard said.
“But I’m glad with how things have turned out now. I’m closer to home and running a CrossFit business with my brother.’’
The 40 best men and women CrossFit athletes in the Pacific Region, as well as 30 six-person teams, will be in Wollongong trying to qualify for the CrossFit Games in California.
The five men, women and teams who do best will secure their spot for the American event.
“That’s my goal and I feel confident I can make it,’’ Garard said. “I feel fitter than ever and I’m ready to go. It’s all about staying injury free in the lead up to ensure I’m competing at my best.’’ Event tickets now available at ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100.
