An Athlete to Watch: Austin Hatfield’s Breakout Year in 2024
"With the AIRWAAV mouthpiece I have better jaw stability and increased strength output. It helps me keep my breathing and heart rate under control during workouts. The research speaks for itself and I feel naked without it!" - Austin Hatfield
Austin Hatfield: Rising Star in CrossFit
Austin Hatfield, a CrossFit athlete from southern West Virginia, has quickly made a name for himself in the sport. After narrowly missing out on a spot at the CrossFit Games in 2023, where he finished 13th in the Semifinals, Hatfield returned in 2024 with renewed focus and determination. This year, he not only placed 8th in the Semifinals but also made his rookie appearance at the 2024 CrossFit Games, where he finished 10th, earning the title of the top men's rookie.
A Journey of Dedication and Growth
Hatfield’s journey into elite CrossFit began in the competitive track of Mayhem Athlete, where he followed both the Competitive and Semifinalist programs. Despite making Semifinals in 2023, it wasn’t until he began working with his current coach, Jake Naumcheff, that he truly honed his skills and climbed the ranks. In just a year under Naumcheff’s guidance, Hatfield cemented himself among the elites, showing remarkable progress and consistency.
2024 CrossFit Games Highlights
Hatfield's rookie year at the CrossFit Games was nothing short of impressive. His standout performances in several events put him in the spotlight, particularly with his finishes in events like Chad and Final 2421:
- Chad: In this event, Hatfield secured an impressive second-place finish with a time of 44:09, just 11 seconds behind James Sprague, who clocked in at 43:58.
- Final 2421: Hatfield dominated, taking first place with a blazing time of 2:25, narrowly beating out Dallin Pepper and Samuel Kwant.
- Final 1815: Once again, Hatfield showcased his skills, finishing first with a time of 4:40, ahead of veteran competitors Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson and Ricky Garard.
Integrating the AIRWAAV Mouthpiece
In his quest for continuous improvement, Austin Hatfield turned to the AIRWAAV performance mouthpiece as soon as it was released. Drawn to the science behind it, Austin sought ways to enhance his cardiovascular fitness and reduce lactate buildup. He found that the AIRWAAV mouthpiece became especially beneficial during long training sessions, particularly in 40-minute zone 2 and endurance workouts. By helping him control his breathing and maintain a steady heart rate, the mouthpiece has become a key tool in Austin's training, allowing him to push through barriers and optimize his performance.
An Athlete to Watch
As Hatfield’s rookie year concludes with a 10th-place finish and several top event placements, he is undoubtedly an athlete to watch in the coming years. His ability to compete against seasoned veterans, coupled with his relentless work ethic, ensures that Austin Hatfield is a name we’ll be hearing more of in future CrossFit Games. Keep an eye on him as he continues to break barriers and push the limits of what’s possible in the world of CrossFit.
Q&A with Austin Hatfield
Q: Can you tell us about your background and how you first got into CrossFit? What drew you to this sport initially?
A: "I started doing CrossFit in 2017. I was an athlete looking to improve strength and endurance. I always had a competitive mindset and CrossFit allowed me to do that on and off the field of sports."
Q: What does a typical training day look like for you? How do you balance different aspects such as strength, conditioning, and recovery?
A: "A typical training day would consist of multiple sessions and working on weaknesses. I have a coach at mayhem that balances my training. Here recently we have been focusing on Aerobic conditioning which the AIRWAAV is great for!"
Q: You mostly train at home alone instead of training camps like many Games athletes, how do you stay motivated and push yourself with your training?
A: "I am a big believer in self-discipline. That means coming in everyday and doing what needs to be done even when I don’t want to. Knowing that down the road it will pay off. Training alone also makes me value the training time spent with other athletes."
Q: What has been the most challenging moment in your CrossFit career so far, and how did you overcome it?
A: "My most challenging moment in CrossFit was when I missed the CrossFit Games in 2023 by one place. It was hard to accept that fact that I wasn’t going even after all the hard work was put in. I had to make some adjustments and plan for the next year."
Q: If you had to choose a single CrossFit movement as your favorite, what would it be and why?
A: "I would say my single favorite movement is bar muscle ups or any form of pulling gymnastics! I have always enjoyed learning and improving in that area more than others."
Q: You've been using an AIRWAAV mouthpiece for a few years now. Can you walk us through your experience with the mouthpiece and why you started using it?
A: "I first started using the AIRWAAV mouthpiece when I saw it released. Seeing the science and what it helped improved I was drawn to it as an athlete looking to improve. I was looking to improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce lactate intake."
Q: Can you tell us about a barrier AIRWAAV has helped you overcome as an athlete? Where do you see the biggest impact?
A: "The biggest barrier AIRWAAV has helped me overcome is during long training sessions. The 40-minute zone 2 and endurance training. AIRWAAV helps me control my breathing and settle my heart rate during workouts.c"
Q: What would you tell those who are skeptical about trying AIRWAAV?
A: "I would tell them to give it a try and see the results for yourself. After that you will feel naked without it!"
Q: This was your Rookie year at the CrossFit Games, walk us through what you were feeling when you qualified.
A: "When I qualified for my first CrossFit Games it was a feeling of relief and accomplishment. It had been a goal of mine to prove to myself that I was good enough to make the games!"
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years in terms of your CrossFit career? Are there any new challenges or ventures you're excited to pursue?
A: "I see myself standing on the podium at the CrossFit Games. New challenges come up every day during training and in competition. That is the best part of CrossFit to me."
