The 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, is a celebration of fitness, community, and effort. It unites hundreds of thousands of athletes from across the globe in the largest participatory sporting event on Earth.
The Open is also an opportunity for CrossFit to celebrate you: the athletes who are the heart and soul of their communities. The athletes who serve others. The athletes who are committed to becoming the fittest version of themselves.
Again this year, we will recognize special members of the CrossFit community with the Spirit of the Open Award, presented by Rogue Fitness.
Read on to learn more about how the Spirit of the Open Award works and how to nominate a peer, and check back each week to view the winners.
HOW IT WORKS
Who is the heart of your CrossFit community? We invite you to nominate your peers for the Spirit of the Open Award.
To nominate a peer, post a photo or video on social media explaining why this individual embodies the spirit of the CrossFit community. Make sure to include the hashtag #SOTO2026 in the caption to secure your nomination.
Each week of the Open, CrossFit will select the most standout member of the community to receive a custom Rogue barbell to use in their affiliate or garage gym. After the Open, one affiliate owner or coach who embodies the heart of their community will also receive a barbell.
See the official contest terms and conditions here.
THE WINNERS
Week 1 : Vilma Gray
Vilma is a former owner and current member at CrossFit E-Fit. She was nominated by Kirsten Kenny.
“I have been blessed beyond measure to have had her as a coach for the past 8 years. She has taken me from using a walker to get in the gym, being unable to step up on a curb with my impaired leg, to someone who is now a better athlete than before cancer,” said Kenny in her nomination post on Instagram. “She believed in me, saw my worth, and never gave up on me. Even when I had given up on myself.”
Vilma will receive a special-edition Rogue barbell to use in her affiliate or garage gym.
Congratulations Vilma!
Week 2: Brent Williams
The Week 2 Spirit of the Open award winner is Brent Williams of CrossFit Avalon Beach!
Brent Williams is the owner of CrossFit Avalon Beach and holds a CrossFit Level 2 Certificate. He was nominated by his affiliate.
“Right now, he’s on dialysis. He has a hernia. His heart is functioning at less than 25%. Arthritis grips both shoulders, and one is completely frozen. And still… he showed up. … Brent is the living, breathing example of what the CrossFit Open is truly about: giving it a go, having fun, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with your community.”
Brent will receive a special-edition Rogue barbell to use in his affiliate or garage gym.
Congratulations, Brent!
Week 3: Angela R. Powell
The Week 3 Spirit of the Open award winner is Angela R. Powell of CrossFit Hightide!
The Spirit of the Open award, presented by Rogue Fitness, is an honor given to an athlete who embodies the spirit of the CrossFit community.
Angela was nominated by her affiliate.
“Last year we sent a video message to her in the surgical ICU as she recovered from her second round of cancer tumor removal. This year- through nutrition coaching, personal training, and showing up every darn day she could- she’s made yet another comeback.”
Angela will receive a special-edition Rogue barbell to use in her affiliate or garage gym.
Congratulations, Angela!
