Five-time CrossFit Games winner Mathew Fraser announced his retirement from the sport of CrossFit over Instagram on Feb. 2, 2021. His caption stated, “Today I leave the sport older, wiser, fitter, and grateful.” You can check out Fraser’s Instagram post below:
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Fraser — who is 31 years old — is considered to be the most decorated and dominant CrossFit athlete ever to compete. In October of 2020, he won his fifth CrossFit Games title, besting Rich Froning Jr.’s previous record of four wins. He put on one of the best performances ever seen at a CrossFit Games, sweeping all four events on day two of the 2020 Games and winning 10 out of 12 total events.
Fraser made his CrossFit Open debut in 2013 at the age of 23 to a 192nd place finish. He improved 185 ranks in 2014 to finish seventh. Since 2015, he ranked first in the Open four times (2015, 2017-19) and was the runner-up in 2020. His career spanned seven appearances at the CrossFit Games, and he never finished worst than second place.
Mat Fraser’s debut at the CrossFit Games was in 2014, where he finished as the runner-up. He repeated that finish in 2015 before embarking on his string of five consecutive titles — the most of any CrossFit athlete ever. Additionally, he currently holds the record with the most event wins in Games history with 29.
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In addition to the Games titles and Open wins, Fraser won the 2019 Dubai CrossFit® Championship, the 2019 Rogue Invitational, and the 2020 Strength In Depth.
Fraser’s post didn’t offer up a lot of specifics or context into why he’s retiring. Though, it read upbeat and humble.
Like so many others that wandered into a CrossFit Gym, I wasn’t expecting to find my best friends, business partners, wife, and countless life lessons, and 5 gold medals.
Fraser also mentioned that he will remain “a part of the CrossFit community. I just won’t be doing it from the competition floor any longer.”
There’s also no information on what Fraser intends to do now that he’s retired from CrossFit. Recently, he started a podcast with Josh Bridges and Sevan Matossian.
Following the news of Fraser’s retirement from competitive CrossFit, Dave Castro, the CrossFit Games Director had this to say on Twitter:
Good luck on the next chapter in your life Champ.
New male champ in 2021. Who you got?#Repost @mathewfras with @make_repost
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Today I leave the sport older, wiser, fitter and grateful. #HWPO #FRA5ER https://t.co/m0thfw23er— Dave Castro (@thedavecastro) February 2, 2021
[Related: We Interviewed Mat Fraser to Learn Everything About His Diet]
Featured image: CrossFit