European Masters Throwdown

An ordinary race for some. For me it's a heartbreaker ❤ I've been coming here since 2018 and every year it's the highlight of the season - our European "Age group games".

This year the race has moved to a new multi-purpose hall in the south of Budapest. We had 3 days, 8 scored WODs - exactly the format I like. More space to really test all the athletes.

WOD 1 & 1A
1000m run - 1000m SkiErg - 1000m run.
Anyone who knows me knows I love running. The tactic was clear - run a sharp pace, tear up the starting field and go first at SkiErg. Everything worked out to a tee. 3:20/km pace = win.

WOD 2
50 Shoulder to Overhead (70 kg) EB 10 Cal Echo.
Plan: 23-17-10 → reality: 25-17-8.
Others split it 4 or more times, so 1st place.

WOD 3 & 3A - Weightlifting (Achilles heel)
Complex (HPs + HSqSn + OHS) + benchmark "Isabel".
Logged 90kg and a time of around 1:40.
Result: 2nd and 1st place = Satisfaction.

WOD 4
Controversial L-seat hold, TTB and DU's.
It was all about the judges. 4th place and I'm glad for it - 90% of the starting field missed the cap.

WOD 5
10 min AMRAP - box transitions, DB lunges and HS walk.
Moral WOD, but a nice 3rd place.

WOD 6 - Finals
Cut to top 10. I go into the finals with a 24 point lead. The math is clear - I'm going to enjoy it.
Finally a trapeze, the fighters around me fighting for the ranking. I think to myself, "Slowly you're going to go further." And you are. At the 10 minute mark, the fight turns into a wrestling match. But this train isn't stopping.
Another 1st place and I wave to the fans.

There is nothing to fault with the race. Just a small turnout. I'm sure an event like this would deserve more attention, but that's for later.

Race Instagram: @Europeanmastersthrowdown

Frantisek Heriban
@fheriban