Firefighter known as ‘Chisel’ wins CrossFit Games age group
Working out ‘just something that is my normal.’
Odds are Cliff Musgrave can kick your butt.
Not that the longtime Akron firefighter wants to. But considering he’s the fittest 50-year-old in the world — no foolin’ — he probably could.
Musgrave, a redhead whose nickname is Chisel, short for Chisel Monkey, finished first in his age group (50 to 54) at the 2018 Reebok CrossFit Games earlier this month in Madison, Wis.
He bested finalists from throughout the United States, Australia, Peru and Chile in feats of strength and endurance ranging from “rope and yoke” to an open water swim to “power snatch.”
He admitted that he was a little caught off guard when he won.
“Right now, I’m just kind of soaking it in,” Musgrave said this week during a visit to CrossFit Utility, his home gym in Springfield Township. “It took me awhile to realize ... that I won the CrossFit Games for my age group.”
Others, though, aren’t surprised by what the 5-foot7, 175-pound Musgrave has accomplished.
Doug Price, a fellow Akron firefighter who owns CrossFit Utility, encouraged Musgrave to take up the sport when he opened his business eight years ago, knowing that his athletic friend and colleague enjoys physically demanding yet rewarding work.
Price also signed Musgrave up for his first competition.
“He’s taken it to another level,” Price said in admiration, adding that Musgrave’s first-place finish is “pretty phenomenal.”
Musgrave, who describes himself as a “very average guy,” admitted that he likes hard work and serving as a positive role model for others. He ended an email with the Beacon Journal/Ohio.com with the Bible verse Acts 20:24, which notes that his goal is to spread the word of God.
“If you were born and raised here, then you know this is a blue-collar town,” he said. “I was raised working hard and seeing those around me doing the same. It’s just something that is my ‘normal.’ ”
CrossFit Utility, 2587 S. Arlington Road, hosted a public party to celebrate his win Friday.
Musgrave, who works out of Station 10 in the city’s Kenmore neighborhood and serves as a coach at CrossFit Utility, wasn’t a CrossFit Games rookie when he won this year.
He also competed in the finals in the annual competition in 2014 and 2016.
He has always been into fitness — his job as a firefighter demands it. Full firefighting turnout gear weighs about 40 pounds. But he admitted that the sport has pushed him.
“I’m fitter than I’ve ever been,” Musgrave said.
He works out anywhere from three to five times a week — and more often and for longer periods if he’s training for the CrossFit Games.
As for whether he will compete again, he’s not sure. He said he will see how he feels.
“I don’t know that I feel any pressure to repeat,” Musgrave said.
People may look at the televised competition and be intimidated by the elite CrossFit athletes who are in peak shape. But the majority of participants are just mothers and fathers trying to maintain their fitness level or get in better shape, he said.
One of his motivations is his son Luke, a 20-yearold with cerebral palsy and other afflictions. Luke has taught him the importance of maintaining his mobility, he said.
Musgrave and his wife, Kim, also have another son, 23-year-old C.J.
His family has been terrific in allowing him the time to train, he said.
At this point, Musgrave can’t imagine not being involved in CrossFit.
“Fitness is a long, steady climb to a distant horizon,” Musgrave said. “It’s steady work for a long time. And it’s never going to stop. You’re never going to go, ‘OK, I’m good enough. I can quit.’
“You’re always going to be trying to be fit so that you can move better tomorrow. Whether I’m 51 or when I’m 71, I’m going to try to be moving — so I can keep moving.”