Hat firefighter wins crossfit gold at World Police and Fire Games
By Ryan McCracken on August 21, 2017.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken Medicine Hat’s Ben Suranko achieved world champion status last weekend at the World Police and Fire Games in Los Angeles. The 28-year-old firefighter put his fitness on display en route to an 18-to-29-year-old crossfit gold medal after two days of grueling competition against some of the world’s most talented public servicemen. “It’s pretty wild, the world police fire games is the second largest sporting event in the world next to the Olympics with 10,000-plus competitors. There are around 70 events, from track and field to soccer, boxing, hockey, and dodgeball just to name a few,” said Suranko. “It was cool to see all the different countries represented for different events. I spent a lot of my free time cheering on friends in different events and then headed straight to Venice beach for surfing and good vibes.” The crossfit competition pitted athletes against one another for combined scores across five different workouts. After a winning the opening chipper event — which tasked Suranko with a series of 15-calorie rows sandwiched between 20 pull ups, 30 thrusters at 115 pounds, 40 burpees and 50 double unders — Suranko moved on top his class again with a 325-pound max clean and jerk before finally getting bested in the third event — a sprint of 24 toes followed by 24 deadlifts at 225 pounds. But Suranko resumed control when the competition shifted to the air-assault bike. The four-year firefighting veteran burned 70 calories over just two minutes on the bike to finish first in the event, then sealed his gold medal with a top time in the final exercise — 12 dumbbell snatches at 70 pounds and a dozen two-foot box jumps. “It was pretty cool,” said Suranko. “It was a fun two days surrounded by new friends from around the world. My girlfriend and parents were also there so that was very sentimental.” Suranko added he didn’t initially plan on competing for medals in crossfit, but when he picked up the sport five years ago, it quickly took hold of him —and the results have been golden. “I got into it to just stay in shape and be healthy,” said Suranko. “Once I got into it I found a competitive avenue for myself and have strived to be the best I can in this specific sport.” 10
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