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The Youngest Games Champion Ever at 22, Medeiros’s Reign Was Short-Lived. What Happened? Can He Reclaim His Title?

 Written by 

Julien Raby

 Last updated on 


In Mason Startup’s latest YouTube video, the spotlight is on Justin Medeiros, the two-time CrossFit Games champion once hailed as the sport’s next big dynasty.

Known for his remarkable consistency and mental fortitude, Medeiros took the CrossFit world by storm in 2021 and 2022.

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Yet, his rapid decline over the past two seasons has left fans and commentators asking the same question: What happened to Justin Medeiros?

From Rising Star to Dominant Champion

Justin Medeiros made history in 2021 when, at just 22 years old, he became the CrossFit Games champion in only his second appearance. His consistency stood out among an elite field, and he repeated his success in 2022, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s most well-rounded athletes.

Unlike previous champions like Rich Froning and Matt Fraser, who dominated by winning multiple events, Medeiros excelled through balance. In 2022, he became the first-ever CrossFit Games winner without winning a single event during the competition. Across two championship seasons, he never placed lower than 18th in any event—a level of consistency unmatched by even CrossFit legends.

2023: A Season of Struggles

Medeiros’s struggles began during the 2023 season, with cracks in his seemingly impenetrable armor appearing early. His performance in the CrossFit Open was underwhelming, raising eyebrows when 40-year-old veteran Dan Bailey outpaced him. Although Medeiros bounced back to win the Quarterfinals, his fifth-place finish at Semi-finals sparked concern.

When the 2023 CrossFit Games began, disaster struck. Medeiros crashed his bike twice in the opening event, resulting in his worst-ever finishes at the Games—29th and 37th in back-to-back workouts. These setbacks, combined with visible injuries from the crash, derailed his performance.

By the end of the weekend, Medeiros finished 13th overall, relinquishing his title of “Fittest Man on Earth.” It was a sharp decline for the young athlete who had once seemed unstoppable.

Injuries and Training Challenges

In his video, Startup highlights the physical setbacks Medeiros faced leading up to and during the 2023 season. Persistent shin splints severely limited his ability to run, a key skill in CrossFit. A mysterious shoulder issue caused him to lose strength and functionality during training. These issues, compounded by the toll of his bike crash, made it nearly impossible for Medeiros to compete at his usual level.

Even in his own analysis, Medeiros acknowledged the challenges of adapting to his new reality. “I couldn’t train the way I wanted to,” he admitted in a reflective conversation with five-time champion Matt Fraser.

2024: Flashes of Hope Amid Setbacks

As the 2024 season began, Medeiros’s performance seemed to find a middle ground between his championship years and the struggles of 2023. He placed solidly in the Open and Quarterfinals before delivering a dominant first-place finish at Semi-finals. Fans hoped this marked the return of the champion they had come to admire.

However, the 2024 CrossFit Games proved disappointing, marred by controversial programming and external factors that left many questioning the fairness of the competition. Medeiros later competed in the Rogue Invitational, where he finished 8th. While his performance showed glimpses of his former self, it was clear that lingering injuries—now reported to include foot issues—continued to hold him back.

Is Medeiros a Sleeping Giant?

Despite his recent struggles, Medeiros’s potential remains undeniable. At only 25 years old, he has plenty of time to recover, adapt, and make a comeback. His Semi-finals performance in 2024 demonstrated that the physical tools are still there, even if injuries and circumstances have temporarily derailed him.

Startup’s video emphasizes that Medeiros’s mental game, once a key to his success, will be crucial in his journey back to the top. If he can regain his confidence and consistency, the sport may see a return of the fittest man who never gave up.

The question now isn’t whether Medeiros has the capability to win again—it’s whether he can find his way back to the mental and physical peak that once made him CrossFit’s most well-rounded champion.

Will Justin Medeiros reclaim his title, or is his time at the top over? Only time will tell, but for now, fans can only watch and hope for one of the sport’s greatest comebacks.

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