2016 CrossFit Games Athlete Roy Gamboa has withdrawn from the 2017 South Regional to pursue a career as a firefighter. 

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I have been blessed with the opportunity to become what I've always wanted to be: a firefighter!

Gamboa took first place in the 2016 South Regional to make it to his first CrossFit Games and also won the South Central region during the Open to qualify for Regionals again in 2017. Gamboa's withdrawal opens the door for some newcomers to make their way to the Games including Nik Hecht and Latin America's Marcelo Bruno, as well as freeing a space for EZ Muhammad to compete for another spot at the CrossFit Games.