From teens storming the leaderboard to seasoned vets pushing their limits, the 2025 CrossFit Games made it clear: CrossFit’s competitive field has never been this deep. 

The competition in Albany was among the most balanced and hard-fought in recent memory. 

Athletes arrived smarter, fitter, and better prepared than ever. 

• The difference between being a good CrossFit athlete and an elite one is razor thin, and it seems to be getting even thinner.

Here’s what stood out on the competition floor and what it reveals about the 2026 season ahead.

The Men’s Field is Stacked

Going into the weekend, we knew the boys were back, but few likely thought that all three spots on the podium could come down to the final event. 

• The back-and-forth throughout the weekend was a joy to watch, and the camaraderie at the end – James Sprague congratulating Jayson Hopper after his win – was one of the weekend’s best moments. 

We should be treated to this level of competition for years to come, given the parity on the guys’ side.

Also, the Men’s Field Should Fear Austin Hatfield

Hatfield was doing some Rich Froning stuff on Sunday, as he took first place in the first two workouts, and was determined to finish out the day with the same result. 

• He ended up struggling and taking a tenth-place finish in “IE10: Atlas,” missing out on a podium spot by 26 points. 

Hatfield only had one event finish outside the top eleven, a 28th-place finish in “IE03: Climbing Couplet,” and it’s clear that Hatfield will be fighting for a podium spot every year moving forward.

Strength Still Matters

There were some extremely high numbers on the back squat for both men and women, and those who couldn’t come close to that paid the price, sometimes finishing with their lowest placement of the weekend. 

• Danielle Brandon finished in 30th place in that event but managed to come in fourth place overall, just 16 points off the podium.

Strength can be a podium-sized hole that athletes need to fix.

The Future is Bright

With Olivia Kerstetter finishing third in a close race for the final podium spot, rookie Ty Jenkins securing a solid 15th in his first individual go-round, and young Lucy McGonigle just missing out on the top ten, the kids are coming in hot. 

• One of the key storylines of the past several seasons has been the rise of the teens, and it looks to continue going forward.

Absent Athletes Would Have Mattered

The narrowing of the field to 30 athletes was great, but consider all the people we were missing in Albany for various reasons. 

How would Pat Vellner have influenced that men’s leaderboard? What if Alex Gazan or Laura Horvath had gotten a chance at the “Climbing Couple,” or if Jack Farlow had an opportunity to test his back squat? 

• Emma Tall, Emily Rolfe, Jelle Hoste, Gabriela Migała, and others could have significantly affected the final standings. 

The competitive season and its features stay flexible, and each year can still bring surprises.

The International Talent is Real 

The Australian contingent continued to impress, but this year, the United Kingdom also made a notable showing. 

• Lucy Campbell earned a silver medal on the women’s podium, and Aimee Cringle finished eighth. 
• Harry Lightfoot also had a fantastic sophomore year in the Games, finishing in 11th place. 
• Jennifer Muir (20th) had a top-five event finish in “IE09: Running Isabel” and nearly won the back squat, tying for second. 
• Rookie Lucy McGonigle almost squeaked out a top-ten finish, landing in 11th by two points. 

Looking at other parts of the globe, Kalyan Souza from Brazil had a bit of a coming-out party, battling Jay Crouch all event long on Albany Grip Trip.

The G.O.A.T.-Shaped Elephant in the Room

There is one obvious takeaway missing from this list so far: as long as Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr competes as an individual, she will win. 

• Sure, there was a moment heading into the second day where a world existed in which Toomey-Orr was not atop the podium, but that disappeared quickly. 

She has the fitness, and nothing seems to slow her down. If she is in the field, she is likely to win, and the other women around her are aware of it. 

The Bottom Line

The 2025 Games reinforced that CrossFit’s competitive landscape is deeper, younger, and more international than ever. 

• Albany showcased new names capable of shaking up the leaderboard, veterans still finding ways to win, and a field where the smallest margins decide the biggest outcomes.

If this season was a snapshot of where the sport is now, the next one will be the stress test. 

The 20th anniversary Games are on the horizon, and the questions are already stacking up: Who will rise, who will return, and who will rewrite what we think is possible?

Featured Image: Scott Freymond