Historical feature — November 2017: This story describes Jacinto Bonilla’s 78th-birthday “Jacinto Storm” celebration in 2017. Ages, ownership descriptions and the title’s “oldest” label refer to that historical account, not a newly verified ranking or current biography.
Jacinto Bonilla turned 78 on July 3, 2017. After a lifelong passion for sports and bodybuilding, he first walked into a CrossFit gym in 2006 at the age of 67. While he knew some of the techniques, Jacinto quickly learned how rigorous the training was and soon fell in love with the regimen.
Defeating Cancer
His work attitude inspired everyone around him. Then in 2008 he came down with prostate cancer. Despite eating healthy and training most of his life, he was sent a curve ball. Luckily after unfailing optimism, an operation, and two months of recovery, Jacinto was back in the gym.
Doctors cautioned him about starting CrossFit again. His first lift – he felt a tug in his abdomen and discovered he had a hernia that put him back on the operating table. Nevertheless, he persevered.
Jacinto healed up and competed in the July 2008 CrossFit Games only 3 months after defeating cancer and a hernia. He hasn’t looked back since.
The 'Jacinto Storm' WOD
This is a high-volume benchmark. For a shorter session with scaling options, use our at-home CrossFit workout chooser and match the work to your current capacity.
On his 69th birthday, he created the “Jacinto Storm” WOD, modeling it after “Filthy Fifty”. Each year, he has added another rep. And each year, more CrossFit athletes have joined him in celebration of his remarkable fitness achievement.
Historical prescription limit: the archived list below does not specify the barbell, kettlebell or wall-ball loads, target dimensions or a time cap. Those details have not been verified for this exact anniversary version, so do not treat the list as a complete current prescription or guess the missing loads. Use the fully specified workout chooser linked above if you need a session for today.
Jacinto Storm78 Double Unders78 Squats78 Push-Ups78 Pull-Ups78 Wall Balls78 Kettlebell Swings78 Deadlifts78 Double Unders
A shorter WOD Fever alternative for today
This separate, lower-volume example keeps a squat, push, pull and simple conditioning sequence. It is not the anniversary prescription, an Rx score or a test of readiness for the archived 78-rep movements.
Equipment: a clear walking/marching area, a stable suitable incline-push-up surface, and a manufacturer-approved ring-row or band-row setup with rated supports and anchors. Do not improvise a pulling anchor from furniture.
After a separate warm-up, complete up to three controlled rounds, with an eight-minute cap: 6 air squats, 4 incline push-ups, 6 ring rows or band rows, and 30 seconds of brisk walking or marching. Rest between movements as needed. Stop at three rounds or the cap, whichever comes first, and record the work completed.
The intended session is repeatable full-body practice with modest conditioning, not a race through unfamiliar skills. Choose easier angles or fewer repetitions if control deteriorates; stop for pain or loss of control. Record the row setup, incline height, rounds, elapsed time and any changes. Do not compare that result with Jacinto Storm.
CrossFit’s scaling guidance discusses matching load, repetitions and duration to the athlete while considering movement and intended stimulus. The specific counts and cap above are WOD Fever’s editorial alternative, not CrossFit’s or Jacinto Bonilla’s prescription. Source checked October 26, 2026. The exact 2017 anniversary loads and targets remain unverified.
CrossFit 1939
The original 2017 feature described Jacinto as owner and head coach at CrossFit 1939, named for his birth year, and celebrated his enjoyment of training with younger athletes. This is the historical description; his current coaching or business status has not been verified for this update.
Watch the historical CBS interview embedded below. The original CBS report was published February 8, 2017.
The original feature linked to CrossFit 1939. For recorded Games results, see Jacinto Bonilla’s official CrossFit athlete profile.
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