Following CrossFit trainer Ben "Speedy" Thompson's claim to be the fittest man in Dunedin (The Star, June 9), three athletes who have competed at a national or international level have thrown their hats in the ring.
Triathlete and national Iron Man age-group contender Jason Palmer, national surf life-saving competitor and Otago sprint kayak champion Ryan Shanks and international age-group triathlon competitor Angus McDonald are keen to challenge Mr Thompson's claim by competing against him in an all-comers event being planned for the Octagon in about seven weeks' time, in which Mr Thompson has agreed to take part.
"The story created a bit of a discussion between Dunedin athletes," Mr Palmer said.
"I know a number of athletes that are prepared to challenge him.
"I know he is a very tough man when it comes to CrossFit but [we] would still like to give him a bit of a challenge."
Mr McDonald said he knew "a lot of people who think they are fitter than him".
Mr Shanks said he had been doing CrossFit training for a couple of years and thought Mr Thompson's claim was "a bold call".
"It should be fun," Mr Shanks said.
