Friso van Saase (17) heads to CrossFit Games as world's number one: 'Winning is within reach'

The Dutch CrossFit community has a new star talent to be proud of. Friso van Saase, just seventeen years old, will travel to San Jose, California this summer as the world's number one ranked athlete to compete at the 2026 CrossFit Games in July. His ambition is clear: not to settle for a podium finish, but to claim the world title in his age category.

Friso grew up in a CrossFit environment, his parents introduced him to the sport at just nine years old. What started as casual youth participation gradually developed into a serious athletic career. From the age of twelve, the intensity steadily increased. His international debut came in 2024, when he competed in the 14-15 age category and finished sixth in the world at the CrossFit Games.

After that debut, Friso deliberately changed his approach. Throughout 2025, CrossFit took a back seat, but there was no resting on his laurels. He focused entirely on strength, which he had identified as his biggest weakness. Five strength sessions per week, supplemented by two running sessions and targeted gymnastics work such as weighted pull-ups. A year spent building a foundation, with the 2026 Games on the horizon.

That preparation is now paying off. During the Games qualification process, Friso finished second in both the CrossFit Open and the quarterfinals, and won the semifinals outright. That consistency across all three stages made him the highest-ranked competitor in his age category worldwide. With the Games approaching, he trains six days a week, logging around 24 hours in the box. Under the guidance of coach Freek Berkhof, he runs multiple sessions per day, taking an hour's rest between workouts to fully recover before the next effort.

The demanding training schedule requires sacrifices both socially and academically. After his final exams, Friso took a gap year, but he is set to begin a Physiotherapy degree in September. His coach insists that Friso earns a qualification alongside his sporting career, a safety net for the future, should anything ever go wrong. That pragmatic approach to balancing elite sport and education reflects the grounded support network around the young athlete.

Where many peers might buckle under the pressure of a number one ranking, Friso thrives on it. He says the adrenaline and hype surrounding competitions give him extra energy. During solo training sessions he can sometimes lose focus, but the moment a competitive atmosphere arrives, he comes alive. That mental edge could prove decisive on a stage as big as the CrossFit Games.

The trip to California will be a family affair: his father, mother and sister will all make the journey, along with coach Freek and a training partner. To cover the considerable travel costs, Friso has launched a crowdfunding campaign alongside his rigorous training. His coach points to a podium finish as the goal, but Friso himself sets the bar higher. With consistent performances throughout the qualification process and a year of targeted preparation behind him, he heads to San Jose with a single mission: to win the CrossFit Games and claim the title of the fittest teenager on the planet.