Hannah Clarke is remembered as a devoted mother, but friends say that after her children, the most important thing in her life was CrossFit.
The 31-year-old was a coach and competitor.
Athlete Dave Kramer was her teammate and this weekend, he is competing for the first time since Ms Clarke and her three children were killed by her estranged partner.
“Bittersweet doesn’t really capture how extreme each end is … Not having ‘Hann’ here is tough,” Kramer said.
The pair competed together at the Torian Pro in 2019. This weekend, the event is being held in Brisbane, a qualifier for the World CrossFit Games in Madison, USA.
The best CrossFitters in Australia and New Zealand are taking part and also paying tribute to their former competitor.
Workout routine honours ‘Hann’
Event director Michael Towner has designed a workout in her honour, named “Hann”.
“I just thought, being [that] we’ve got this platform, is there something we could do to honour her and help bring more awareness to the cause [of domestic violence],” Mr Towner said.
The workout is an adapted version of one written by Kramer to remember his training partner and friend, and includes some of her favourite movements: handstand walking and lunges.
The rep within the “Hann” scheme also reflects the ages of Ms Clarke’s children: Aaliyah, six, Laianah, four, and three-year-old Trey, who all died with their mother in February last year.
“When I first wrote it, I thought about Hann obviously, and just thought, ‘What would Hann want to do?'”
Mr Towner agreed that the idea for the workout “fell into place” and said it felt “meant to be”.
Supplied: Dave Kramer
)Thousands of fans are expected to watch more than 600 athletes across the weekend at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena.
Competitors and those in the crowd painted the arena pink on Saturday, to remember Ms Clarke and her children.
Former two-time Torian Pro champion Brandon Swan said the CrossFit community was rallying behind the cause.
“Domestic violence is an ongoing issue, in this country and all around the world,” he said.
“It really makes it real when you see someone you know, [who has] walked and competed on the same floor as you.
Four-time Fittest Woman on Earth Tia-Clair Toomey took to social media to urge CrossFit fans around the world to support the charity started by Ms Clarke’s family.
“I actually did our CrossFit Level One course with her back in 2013,” Toomey said.
“We want to bring awareness to domestic violence and celebrate Hannah and her three kids in the true light they deserve.”
Kramer said the “Hann” was a fitting tribute to his friend and fellow athlete.
“So many people in the CrossFit community will get a chance to see that side of Hann, will get to see the skill, the strength, the love of CrossFit, the love of teamwork,” he said.
“She would be beside herself, she’d be over the moon. She wouldn’t be able to believe what’s going on.”
