Last weekend, Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr showcased her extraordinary prowess at the Torian Pro In-Person Qualifying Event (IPQE) held in Brisbane, Australia, securing her 10th invitation to the CrossFit Games by dominating five of the six events.
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Despite her remarkable victory, the champion’s future remains uncertain as she has previously hinted at the possibility of retirement. This leaves fans and athletes alike in suspense regarding whether she will accept her invitation to compete once again at the Games.
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Deadline Set by Dave Castro
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In a recent announcement, CrossFit’s director of sport, Dave Castro, revealed that Toomey-Orr has been given a deadline to make her decision. During his Week in Review on YouTube, Castro stated, “She has a period of time to decide. We gave her a date, basically until when she has to make a decision if she wants to use the spot or not.
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Additionally, Castro mentioned that the fifth-place finisher at the event, Georgia Pryer, would be informed of this deadline as she would step in should Toomey-Orr decline her invitation for the upcoming Games in Albany, NY.
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Castro emphasized the fairness of the timeline provided, although he did not disclose the specific date given to Toomey-Orr. “The date that we gave [Toomey-Orr] is fair to everyone,” he noted.
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Toomey-Orr’s Transition to HYROX
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Amid her achievements, Toomey-Orr has shifted gears, focusing on competing in HYROX. Earlier this season, she teamed up with fellow HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk to break the world record in the Pro Women’s Doubles division at the HYROX Houston race, earning them a spot at the HYROX World Championships scheduled for June in Chicago, IL.
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In a heartfelt statement after her win in Brisbane, Toomey-Orr mentioned the Torian Pro as a significant opportunity for her, suggesting a farewell to her CrossFit career. “To end it here in front of a home crowd, and walk away with my heart just so full of love, and admiration, and gratitude. It’s a dream come true,” she expressed. However, she also added, “Tomorrow is never promised. I think that’s why it’s so hard for me to retire.
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What’s Next for Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr?
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Deciding to retire from competitive sports is a deeply personal journey, and Toomey-Orr appears to be grappling with this challenge. If she chooses to participate in the Games this summer, the competition is certainly hers to lose, and the allure of becoming an eight-time CrossFit Games champion—as well as the financial rewards—adds to the complexity of her decision.
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Speculation is rife among fans and analysts alike regarding her potential appearance at the 2025 CrossFit Games. Castro himself remarked on the uncertainty, stating, “Unsure if she is going to come to the Games, but she won her ticket, so she has the opportunity to. I imagine she will, but only Tia knows what Tia is going to do.
