John Smith, 61, qualifies for Reebok CrossFit Games in USA

The Games, held in Madison, Wisconsin from August 1-5, are billed as a ‘world-renowned grueling test for the toughest athletes on Earth’.

Smith, 61, topped the qualifying leaderboard in the UK and Central Europe region in the 60+ category.

He was then invited to compete in a four-day online qualifier against the strongest athletes from across the globe with the top 20 receiving a ticket to the Games.

The retired freight train driver, who is origianlly from Middlesbrough but now lives in Bessacarr, finished as the 21st fittest master in the world, narrowly missing out on a place at the finals.

But when a qualifier pulled out he jumped at the chance to compete against the world’s best.

“Everyone at Danum Crossfit are so inspired by John and are so proud of his efforts,” said club spokesperson Keely Byrom.

“Go smash it buddy!”

Crossfit is a fitness regime combining components of weightlifting, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning.

The Crossfit Open is the first stage of the CrossFit Games season and the largest community event of the year, attracting hundreds of thousands of worldwide entries.

Anyone aged 14 or older can compete, over a period of five weeks.

Every week a workout is set by Dave Castro, the director of the CrossFit Games, and athletes have four days to complete each workout at a Crossfit gym with a qualified judge and submit their scores online. The fittest move on to the next stage of competition.

Danum Crossfit is located on Balby Carr Bank. For more information visit danumcrossfit.com.