Yesterday he blitzed five challengers in a CrossFit competition in Dunedin involving tasks incorporating weightlifting, gymnastics and aerobic exercise, with those who did the activities in the fastest time winning.
One activity involved five rounds of a rope climb, flipping tractor tyres and pushing a 100kg sled, which left most competitors curled in a heap, gasping for breath and wincing at the blisters on their hands.
Mr Thompson did it in 4min 28sec.
That was after completing the "Giant 50", 50 repetitions each of 10 activities, including a 500m run up Rattray St, pull-ups and 24kg kettle-bell swings, completed four times, which he did in 24min.
The competition finished with 30 repetitions, lifting 70kg - Mr Thompson at 171m tall only weighs 72kg, but he completed it in 3.37min.
Mr Thompson was pleased with his performance and planned to keep training for the next competition in Hawkes Bay with the goal of making it to the world championships.
"There was a lot of talk around town about who was the fittest... now everyone can stop talking."
Organiser Grant Hughes, CrossFit manager, said he was disappointed many of those who indicated they would take part in the challenge did not. He had hoped representatives from other gyms and sporting organisations would take part. Six men and six women took part.
The women's event was won by Ruth Anderson-Horrell, of Invercargill.
