CrossFit Champ Credits God for Win: ‘It’s Not Me Doing This’
By Movieguide® Contributor
CrossFit Games champion James Sprague is giving God all the credit for his win this year.
“God’s strength, it’s John 15:5. It says, ‘I am the vine you are the branches. All that remains in me and I am him will produce many fruits because you can do nothing without me.’ So just being here in this position, it’s not me doing this,” he explained.
“This season wasn’t exactly as I was expecting. I faced a hip condition called myositis ossificans right after the open, actually right after a similar workout to this. So to be able to just come out here and prove like, it doesn’t matter what hits me mentally, physically, I know that my spiritual strength is going to carry me through any challenge.”
Sprague started to do a CrossFit in fifth grade. At the time, he was depressed and overweight.
“I didn’t know if I had any purpose in life. I played sports,” he said. “I did things that kind of numbed my pain, but when God had me step into a CrossFit Box with my dad, being here representing you know my family, my faith. But just to be able to be here, to represent all the people that helped me get here is just unfathomable. It doesn’t even feel like I’ve competed yet, in a sense because it’s just been such a heavy-hearted weekend.”
“This is only the beginning. Second CrossFit Games,” Sprague said. “Helps me bring out the best of myself every day.”
Sprague’s win comes with some sorrow. On Aug. 8, one of the contestants, Serbian Lazar Đukić, drowned while he performed in the swimming portion of the competition.
Sprague made a couple of tributes to him on his social media.
The athlete said, “A righteous man falls seven times, yet he rises again” Proverbs 24. With peace in knowing @lazadjukic was a believer in our Lord and Savior, my belief is that he would want us to rise & represent him with our efforts and courage to step onto the floor. That is what faith is all about, standing strong and rising amidst adversity and challenge, knowing the light is on the other side.”
In another post, he shared photos of himself visiting the place of the drowning, where flowers were placed in Đukić’s memory.
Sprague said:
“There was truly no way to navigate this weekend correctly. As countless competitors have said, this was a preventable tragedy. It hurts, it sucks, it’s a nightmare of a reality, Lazar embodied the heart of our sport. He was the kinda guy who smiled amidst adversity & prevailed through challenge.
A true competitor who poured his life into being the greatest version of himself.
As much as winning the @crossfitgames has always been a dream of mine, it’s hard to feel anything, I’m trying to be proud yet I’m still in shock.
I pray that people can unify and love each-other above all. Because love abounds and will always complete us.
John 4:12
Movieguide® has reported on many other athletes like Sprague who say their strength comes from God. Olympian Hidilyn Diaz is one of them:
Hidilyn Diaz became the first Filipino Olympic gold medal winner after her victory in the women’s 55-kilogram division for weight lifting.
After Diaz’s historical performance, she credited God with her success.
“Thank You, Lord,” was Diaz’s immediate response, according to Catholic News Agency.
“I thank God for having a team who is there fighting and working together for one goal and one dream for the Philippines. We will grow together towards #Tokyo2020,” she wrote on Instagram before the Olympic games.
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