By Angie Sullivan
Julia Konovalova from Sutton is heading to California to compete against some of the top teenage CrossFit athletes in the world.
The Grade 12 Sutton District High School student has qualified for the 2026 Teenage CrossFit Games in the girls 16-17 division. The competition will be held July 24 to 26 in San Jose, California.
“The sport is incredibly demanding because you never know exactly what events you’ll face,” Konovalova said.
CrossFit is a mix of Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, endurance and high-intensity conditioning. The events featured at the Games won’t be announced in advance, meaning Konovalova could be challenged with anything from rope climbs and handstand walks to running, rowing, swimming, sled pushes or sandbag carries.
“Qualifying for the CrossFit Games is a huge accomplishment because only the top 20 athletes in the world in each division earn a spot,” Konovalova said. “Making the Games means competing against the best teenage athletes in the world and represents years of training and dedication.”
Only three Canadian athletes qualified in her division this year (girls 16-17), with the other two coming from Saskatchewan and Quebec. Konovalova placed 10th overall in the semifinals and was the top Canadian in her division.
Konovalova grew up playing a variety of sports, including figure skating, gymnastics, horseback riding and volleyball. Gymnastics eventually led her to CrossFit.
“I was a little weaker than some of the other girls in gymnastics, so when I was 8 years old, I started personal training at my local affiliate, CrossFit N6. Over time I transitioned into the adult classes, and by the time I was 15, I started training seriously and working with a coach,” said Konovalova.
Her current coach is Adam Rogers, of Training Think Tank, based in Roswell, Georgia. “Adam has coached elite CrossFit athletes for years and helps guide all aspects of my training remotely,” said Konovalova.
Despite the intensity of the sport, Konovalova said one of the things she loves most about CrossFit is its sense of community.
“What I love most about CrossFit is that it’s truly for everyone,” she said. “No matter where you go in the world, you can walk into a CrossFit gym and find people of all ages and backgrounds working hard to improve themselves. The community is unlike any other sport I’ve experienced, and that environment is a huge part of why I love competing.”
The trip to California is mostly being funded out of pocket. Konovalova said she will be selling shirts to help support the cost of competing at the Games, with designs currently in progress. Updates and fundraiser information will be posted on her Instagram account, @julia_konovalovv.
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