As a former U.S. Navy SEAL, six-time CrossFit Games athlete, four-time Regionals champion, and seven-time CrossFit Open workout winner, Josh Bridges displays a level grit and toughness that most will never tap into. His insanely impressive list of accomplishments makes it clear that his ability to train hard and push past any mental barrier is unique. The 5’5” 173lb athlete first started CrossFit in 2005, appearing at the Games for the first time in 2011, and finishing with an impressive 2nd place spot on the podium.
Though his success is evident, injuries have become a common occurrence in his life, ultimately forcing him to sit out of competition in the 2012 season due to a gnarly knee injury. After rehabbing the knee and focusing on recovery, he came back with the same tenacity just one year later, competing in the 2013 Games and finishing in 7th place. After his last appearance in the 2018 Games, Bridges once again faced a difficult knee injury, undergoing several surgeries including a high tibia osteotomy. And as if that wasn’t enough to come back from, Bridges recently shared that he was struggling with an elbow injury. He further emphasized that the injury caused a severe loss in range of motion over the last few years, leaving him without flexion and extension in his left elbow.
Bridges explained on his YouTube channel that the injury promotes a lot of pain when he’s in the overhead position, limiting his ability to perform several staple CrossFit movements like jerking, snatching, and the overhead squat. Despite this, the athlete has met with an orthopedic surgeon who plans on scoping out the bone spurring that’s occurred in his elbow. The recovery is quick and should allow him to come back in full force after 6-weeks of rest.
So, what does this mean for fans of the athlete notorious for some intense roaring after completing a workout? You can rest assured that Bridges plans on making a comeback.
The athlete recently announced, “The open is not looking like it’s in my future this year. That doesn’t mean I will not be trying to compete at the 2020 games.”
Although a series of unfortunate injuries have inhibited his training and ability to compete in the past, he’s made it clear that given the right recovery, he’s not giving up on his goals.
Bridges went on to say, “If I feel ready for a Sanctional towards the spring and summer, any of them that are open, I will probably give a go. So, I do have a goal to go to the 2020 Games. Getting this elbow done as fast as possible will speed that along so I can actually start to fully train for it.”
The elbow is the only thing standing in his way of a solid performance and journey to the Games. The competitor reassured fans that his legs and knees are in good condition He’s slowly implemented more runs. He shared with followers that he’s been back at it, running 1.7 miles on the beach in 12:04, going on to squat the next day with little to no pain in his rehabbed knees.
In the wake of injury and some time out of the game, there’s no doubt that Josh Bridges is one to look out for as we approach the highly anticipated 2020 CrossFit Games season.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
