Alaska Teen Crushes CrossFit Open

0:0017-year-old Ryland Kirby from Eagle River, Alaska just dominated the 2026 CrossFit Open in the male 16-17 age group taking first place out of more than 1000 competitors worldwide. This virtual qualifier for the CrossFit Games marks a huge win for the kid who's only been doing CrossFit for a year. His dad pushed him to try last year's Open, and even though his coach was skeptical at first, Ryland shocked everyone with a 133rd place finish right out the gate. Now training at CrossFit Iron Refined, he's turned that early spark into straight fire. Folks around him say it's built serious discipline in his life, balancing intense workouts with home school and everything else. Plus, he shouts out the gym community as family, super supportive and keeping him motivated through the grind. After the open victory, he landed 6th in the quarter finals, and now he's gunning for a top 20 spot in the semifinals to lock in his ticket to. The games in San Diego this summer. His coach believes he'll smash it, potentially making history as Alaska's first team qualifier.

1:04Keep an eye on Ryland. This young gun's rise is just getting started in the CrossFit world. I'm Cory with the story, and you've been listening to Anchorage News today. A.I. Powered Local News