Wairarapa Veterinarian 

– Dr Heidi Ward- McGrath

…is more motivated than ever after returning from the World adaptive CrossFit Games held in San Antonio, Texas, USA with a credible 6th placing in her first global championship. Dr Ward-McGrath went into the four days of competition ranked 9th in the world with the  goal of making the top 5, which she admitted was a pretty big goal for someone who has never been to the Games before.

In the end she missed out by one second which she put down to the ski erg. The handles were posted at the bottom and not at the top and searching for them cost valuable time. After the four days of gruelling competition in the moderate neuro category Dr Heidi finished on 332 points, 8 points shy of Abi Winn-Jones from Great Britain. “I am way more motivated because I got 6th to go back and hunt for a podium finish. I will go back to the games and bring home a medal for New Zealand.”

Dr Ward- McGrath 51, was in an accident when she was pregnant with her second child. She sustained a severe spinal injury cauda equina making her journey to the world champs arduous and one of determination. My spinal recovery started by doing personal training, Pilates and yoga. Then I started at a local gym. I joined SassFit with coach Rima Marurai. Coach Rima introduced me to CrossFit, taught me all of the lifts and complex gymnastic moves and I loved it.

At 51, I have never been so fit or strong. I very quickly improved because my core strength improved. My back pain went away and my balance improved. I have developed significant muscle development and a 6 pack of abs. Dr Ward- McGrath starts her day at 4 am and fits in 3 hours of training most days as well as running her veterinary businesses.

Dr Ward-McGrath progressed through the CrossFit Open and semi finals in Australia where she won her division in the Torian Pro lifting her ranking to 9 th and securing her a top 10 placing for San Antonio. The four days of competition comprised of two work out competitions a day in heat up to 45 degrees. They raced 1500 m on a rower, 1500 m on a ski erg and then finished on an echo bike. “The heat made it pretty challenging, with some athletes needing medical care after that event. My team put me straight into an ice bath to cool down.”

Marurai accompanied Ward- McGrath as her coach and she attributed her success to his valuable input. He is a highly experienced and successful New Zealand CrossFit athlete. It was invaluable to have someone with such a cool calm head to point me in the right direction as there is so much going on down on the competition floor.

There is no rest for Dr Ward- McGrath who is targeting the New Zealand Masters, NZ fittest Mum and the New Zealand Open hoping to qualify for the 2025 World Adaptive Games. “ Before then I have lots of pull ups, burpee training and chest to bars.”

Ward- McGrath was not only the first Wairarapa athlete to make it to the Games but also the first Veterinarian to qualify.

The four days of competition comprised of two work out competitions a day in heat up to 45 degrees. They raced 1500 m on a rower, 1500 m on a ski erg and then finished on an echo bike. “The heat made it pretty challenging, with some athletes needing medical care after that event. My team put me straight into an ice bath to cool down.”

Marurai accompanied Ward- McGrath as her coach and she attributed her success to his valuable input.

He is a highly experienced and successful New Zealand CrossFit athlete. It was invaluable to have someone with such a cool calm head to point me in the right direction as there is so much going on down on the competition floor.

There is no rest for Dr Ward- McGrath who is targeting the New Zealand Masters, NZ fittest Mum and the New Zealand Open hoping to qualify for the 2025 World Adaptive Games.

“ Before then I have lots of pull ups, burpee training and chest to bars.”

Ward- McGrath was not only the first Wairarapa athlete to make it to the Games but also the first Veterinarian to qualify. As a member of Wakaminenga Maori Government, Heidi said she was aslo proud to showcase New Zealand’s 1835 sovereign flag at the cross fit games. Perhaps this is one of the the firsts too. Our congratulations and best wishes to Heidi for the games next year.