Last weekend, the CrossFit community witnessed an exhilarating series of events, marking one of the busiest competition weekends in the lead-up to the 2025 CrossFit Games. With four In-Person Qualifying Events (IPQEs) happening simultaneously, fans from Brisbane to Knoxville were treated to some incredible performances. If you happened to miss the action, we’ve compiled eight key takeaways from this thrilling weekend.
Field of Competitors Takes Shape
As we stand on the cusp of the 2025 CrossFit Games, 27 out of the anticipated 30 athletes in both the men’s and women’s divisions have already secured their spots. The final opportunity to qualify comes next weekend at the Northern California Classic, followed by the online Last Chance Qualifier later this month.
Tia Toomey-Orr Continues to Shine
This weekend also marked a significant moment for CrossFit legend Tia Toomey-Orr. In a heartwarming post-event interview, Tia reflected on how her journey began at the Torian Pro back in 2015, and this year, she once again demonstrated her prowess by winning five out of six events, securing second place in the other. Tia is not just contemplating her eighth title in Albany; there’s much more ahead in her athletic career. Next, she’ll be heading to Chicago for the Hyrox Doubles World Championship, where she and teammate Joanna Wietrzyk aim to further solidify their legacy after breaking the world record.
Jennifer Muir’s Historic Qualification
From Scotland, Jennifer Muir made headlines as she earned her first-ever ticket to the CrossFit Games. Inspired by witnessing Brent Fikowski perform a split clean at FitFest in 2023, Jennifer embraced the split snatch technique for the entirety of her Heavy Isabel event, featuring 30 split snatches. While she initially missed her qualification at Wodland, her outstanding performance at CrossFit’s Semifinals secured her spot at the Games.
Highlights from the Super Semis
As the competition unfolded, we were treated to remarkable performances across all events. Here are some highlights:
- Momentous Releases: The Women’s Three was co-developed with women’s physiology expert Dr. Stacy Sims, targeting key nutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D3 for female athletes.
- New Book from Annie Thorisdottir: “Iceland Annie: The Evolution of a CrossFit Legend” is available for pre-order, offering insights into one of the sport’s most celebrated figures.
- Cancer and Exercise Study: Recent research indicates that regular aerobic exercise may reduce deaths and recurrence rates for colon cancer by about one-third, highlighting the critical link between fitness and health.
- WFP Competitor Divisions: Registration is open for teams and duos at the World Fitness Project Tour Stop II in Mesa, AZ, offering a new platform for competition.
- Community Cup Workouts Released: If you’re interested in participating in CrossFit’s Community Cup competition, check out the recently released workouts.
- TYR Cup Update: Announcements are rolling out for the 2025 TYR Cup teams, with Pat Vellner returning as captain for Team North America.
Achieving Functional Strength
In a recent exclusive feature, it’s emphasized that achieving a six-pack isn’t the sole indicator of core strength. CrossFit athletes benefit from developing functional core muscles that provide stability and power during dynamic movements. Engaging the core is vital for kipping movements like pull-ups and toes-to-bar, as well as for Olympic lifts such as the split jerk, where core engagement establishes a solid base for performance. Building functional abs is essential for enhancing overall athletic performance, moving beyond aesthetics to true functionality.
Celebrating personal records and milestones has become part of the journey for many athletes. Manchester’s Maddox Metcalf recently achieved a personal best in his split jerk, lifting 142 kilos/315 pounds, while Maria from Brazil succeeded in a 102-kilo/225-pound clean PR. With the community constantly pushing boundaries, it’s an exciting time for CrossFit.