A High Wycombe school teacher has been named as the ‘fittest in Europe’ following a recent championship.
Maddy Harris, who studied and now teaches at Wycombe High School, has been competing in regional workouts to qualify for the CrossFit Games World Championships in the USA.
The tournament will take place in Madison, Wisconsin next August, where the world’s top athletes compete for the title of the ‘Fittest on Earth’.
In the preliminary qualifications, Maddy finished fifth which was her highest-ever ranking.
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She said: “I’m also ranked on a separate leader board by occupation, and I managed to achieve the title of the fittest teacher in the UK as well, which is a pretty cool title to have.
“There are three stages to qualifying for the World Championships.
“The first one, which I have just completed, is three regional workouts over three weeks where you get the rankings, where I came fifth overall.
“My next stage is the quarterfinals and the top one percent from that will go through to the semi-finals in Germany, which is my aim, and then from there, hopefully the World Championships.
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”It is pretty tough competing at the top level and certainly alongside the teaching that I do.
“But I train twice a day and that training can include anything from swimming to weightlifting to gymnastics.”
Despite being a self-confessed gym lover, Maddy is also passionate about her job as a teacher and hopes to inspire her students.
She continued: “Before and after school, you’ll find me in the gym.
“I love my job as a teacher, so it makes getting up at 5am and training before school a bit easier.
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“Everyone is very supportive at the school and ask me about my competitions which is great.
“It gives me the motivation to then get back in the car after school and go training again.
“I do have some downtime and rest time at the weekend as well though.
“I make sure I get that time to myself”.
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