Cherry wins South Carolina fitness competition – Washington Daily News

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Washington native Fred Cherry won his age group in a fitness competition in South Carolina last weekend. (Submitted)

Fred Cherry executes a power clean and press lift during last weekend’s fitness competition. (Submitted)

Washington native and Chocowinity resident Fred Cherry finished first in the men’s 60+ division at the Fittest of the Coast competition at the North Charleston, S.C. Coliseum and Convention Center last weekend.
The 66-year old Cherry, owner of Beaufort Builders in Washington, won a 12 minute workout session call the Trident, in which contestants rode a stationary bike until they burned 30 calories, completed 10 squats with 150 lb. sandbags, carry the sandbag in a bearhug position for 20 feet, complete a ring muscle-up gymnastics movement, then carry the sandbag back to the bike. Cherry completed the workout in 7:42.
He finished second in the 4K run and in a five minute workout consisting of three rounds of nine burpee box jumps followed by 21, 15 and nine thruster squats with weight.
“The run was the hardest since I have a bad knee and don’t run much,” Cherry said. “I also missed a 195 lb. lift that held me back, but it was fun competing against younger guys. They push me to do my best and I enjoy preparing for these competitions.”
He was fourth in the other event tha.t involved four rounds of a 24 calorie row, bench presses and power cleans ranging from 255 to 325 lbs.
After trying various ways to stay active and in shape, Cherry joined BOCO CrossFit at Fitness Unlimited in Washington eight years after his shoulders and knees started to bother him.
“The doctor was talking about replacing them, but they feel great now,” Cherry said. “I enjoy trying the different workouts and we have a fun group at our gym. It’s good be well rounded and I enjoy pushing myself to get better.”
Cherry finished fifth in his age group in the national CrossFit games in Madison, Wisconsin in August and plans to compete again this summer.
“I’ve taken a few days off to recover from Charleston, but I’ll get back to the gym soon,” Cherry said. “I’m usually there five to six days a week doing something different to try to improve. I heard CrossFit was going to add a 70+ division at some point soon, so that will give me something to shoot for. I’ll keep going as long as I stay competitive and healthy.”