Weipa product Tia-Clair Toomey has won a fifth CrossFit Games to etch her name into the record books.

Toomey, who still has family living in Weipa, was an Olympic representative at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games in weightlifting and won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

But it is her performances in CrossFit – a huge competition in the United States and Europe – that have put her on the global map.

Toomey’s title puts her in the history books as one of only two people to win five titles. She is tied with her old training mate Mat Fraser.

Toomey has the most individual events wins of any athlete in the history of CrossFit and is tied with the most consecutive individual event wins.

The commentators described her as the most dominant athlete ever in CrossFit.

Toomey wrapped up the title with time to spare. She won nine of the 15 events and by the time she won the 15th and final event, it was a mere formality.

“I’m still trying to create (my legacy),” Toomey said on Monday morning Australian time.

“(Being a role model) means everything, we all at one stage in our life start off and are inspired by so many different people in our worlds.

“For me to be a small part or a big part of that is just really humbling and also is such an honour.”

“For anyone out there trying to do your absolute best, just keep going.

“It requires so much hard work, but with the right team behind you, and if you have that desire and determination, anything is possible. I’m standing here today, showing you it is.”

Toomey thanked her husband Shane Orr, also from Weipa, who coaches her.

“He has been there since the very beginning, even before CrossFit.”

Toomey confirmed she would “absolutely” be at the CrossFit Games next year. Second place was Hungary’s Laura Horvath, and third was Iceland’s Annie Thorisdottir, who won the Games in 2011 and 2012.

This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 3 August, 2021.