***R.E.D. Friday***

The “Kalsu” Hero WOD honors 1st Lt. James Robert Kalsu, 11th Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, who was killed in action on July 21, 1970 in the A Shau Valley, Vietnam. On lists of the hardest CrossFit workouts, “Kalsu,” is a frequent contender.

The workout was designed by John Welbourn of CrossFit Football and former Navy Seal Andy Stumpf.

The CrossFit Football website is no longer live but according to a post on John Welbourn’s blog, it appears “Kalsu” was first shared on June 23, 2009. The first mention in the CrossFit forum was in October that year.

John also notes that 1st Lt. Kalsu was an All-American Offensive Tackle who played a single season with the Buffalo Bills (US National Football League) before leaving professional football to serve in Vietnam. 1st Lt. Kalsu was offered a deferment as a professional football player, but opted to honor his commitment to serve in the military.

“Kalsu”

100 Thrusters (135/95)

*EMOM 5 Burpees, start with Burpees

*30 min time cap