The 2025 CrossFit Games begin in a few short days in Albany, NY, and the men’s field is arguably more balanced and competitive than it’s ever been.
The roster features 30 elite athletes, including seasoned Games vets, former Fittest Men on Earth, and a talented up-and-coming rookie class.
- Similar to the women’s division, we think that about a third of the athletes are legitimate podium contenders.
This year also has a different vibe from what we’re used to.
Following the Froning and Fraser eras, and back-to-back championships by Justin Medeiros, we’ve seen fresh names at the top of the podium in each of the past two years, and the field in Albany has more parity than probably any year since 2011.
So, as we head into the final moments before “3…2…1…Go!,” we break down some predictions and guesses as to who will stand atop the podium.
Podium Picks
Jeffrey Adler
The seven-time Games qualifier is likely to finish at or near the top of the leaderboard this week. Adler, who earned the title of Fittest Man on Earth in 2023, is known for both his strength and, more recently, his running skills. He has established himself as a legitimate podium threat in every competition he enters.
- Adler finished third in the Open worldwide this season and took first place in the In-Affiliate Semifinal. He also finished in fourth place at the World Fitness Project (WFP) Tour Stop I in Indianapolis.
Austin Hatfield
In his sophomore season, Austin Hatfield is making a name for himself. He won the Mayhem Classic in April, which secured his spot in the Games early in the season.
- In his rookie year, the Mayhem athlete finished in 10th place at the Games, the highest placing rookie in the event.
Separately, Hatfield also won WFP Tour Stop 1. While still relatively new, he’s very likely going to finish strong at the Games this weekend.
James Sprague
Sprague made his elite individual Games debut in 2023, following a few transition seasons after graduating from the teen divisions. He finished 25th in his rookie appearance and earned the title of Fittest Man on Earth in 2024, during a Games weekend that was greatly impacted by the death of athlete Lazar Ðukić on the first day of competition.
- Sprague aims to defend his title again this year after a strong season so far. He competed in the first IPQE, where he finished fourth, but didn’t secure a spot at the Games. However, his sixth-place finish in the In-Affiliate Semifinals was enough to earn a roster spot in Albany. Notably, Sprague also won the 2025 TYR WZA Miami back in January.
Other Contenders
Justin Medeiros
The 2021 and 2022 Fittest Man on Earth has had a strong season so far. Medeiros finished eighth in the In-Affiliate Semifinals and sixth at the WFP Tour Stop I. Known for his consistent placements and precise strategies to maximize every point, fans are expecting Medeiros to return to top form after finishing eighth and 13th at the Games in the last two years.
- The Boise-based athlete is coming to Albany with his eyes on the podium, and some of the already-announced Games events line up very nicely for him.
Jay Crouch
The Australian PRVN athlete is another strong contender for a podium finish this weekend. Crouch has had an impressive season, placing second in both the Torian Pro IPQE and the In-Affiliate Semifinals. He also competed at the WFP Tour Stop I event, where he finished seventh overall.
- Crouch is in a good position heading into the Games weekend. He made his individual Games debut in 2020, with his best finish at the Games coming in 2023, where he took eighth place.
Roman Khrennikov
Khrennikov’s story has been well-told, from international success to visa struggles, to finally competing in person at the Games and that sentimental moment in 2023, when he competed on a broken foot to secure his podium position (third, he also placed second in 2022). This year, the Mayhem athlete is seeking redemption after finishing ninth in Fort Worth in 2024.
- Khrennikov earned his Games ticket early in the season, winning the Wodland Fest. He was able to skip the In-Affiliate Semifinals, but placed eighth in a stacked men’s field at WFP Tour Stop I.
Jayson Hopper
The former Clemson football player burst onto the scene in 2021, winning the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge and a Semifinal that year. He went on to place 19th at the Games as a rookie.
- Hopper changed training camps in the off-season from HWPO to Brute and has performed well. He finished in fifth place at the Mayhem Classic, third at the WFP Tour Stop I, and earned his Games ticket through In-Affiliate Semifinals, where he tied for fourth.
Ricky Garard
Ricky Garard is another Aussie podium threat this weekend. Following a seventh-place finish at last year’s Games, Garard has been grinding all season with the hope of finding a spot back on the podium at the end of the weekend.
After returning from his four-year suspension in 2022, Garard earned a third-place finish at the Games. An offseason injury ended his 2023 season before the Games.
- He’s off to a great start, taking first at Torian Pro and seventh at In-Affiliate Semifinals. Garard is also a WFP pro cardholder and took 11th place at Tour Event I.
Dark Horses
Colin Bosshard
The three-time Fittest Man in Switzerland will make his first appearance at the Games this weekend. He placed 12th in the Open and finished 10th at the In-Affiliate Semifinals, earning his spot in the Games.
- Bosshard has been on the verge of a breakthrough for several seasons, and it looks more and more like this will be the year. The rookie will need to work hard this weekend if he wants to reach the top of the podium, though, in this stacked division.
Jack Rozema
This season has been a tough journey for the active-duty Army attorney, as it took multiple attempts to secure an invitation to the Games. After finishing in the top 50 worldwide in the Open, Rozema was invited to compete at the Mayhem Classic IPQE, where he placed 14th. He then moved on to the In-Affiliate Semifinals, finishing 15th – just a few spots shy of qualifying. Finally, he took part in the Syndicate Crown IPQE.
- Rozema finished second at Syndicate, earning his spot in the Games in one of the very last IPQEs. He also qualified for the WFP Challenger division at Tour Stop I and placed sixth.
Jonne Koski
The Finnish legend didn’t have an easy route to qualify for his 10th CrossFit Games (he qualified nine straight times but missed out in 2024). The seasoned veteran has never stood on the podium, but could be a sentimental choice in a milestone year for his career.
- Koski missed qualifying for the Games by one spot at the Wodland Fest IPQE. He tried again at In-Affiliate Semifinals and missed by two places, but he got a final opportunity during the Hustle Up Last Chance Qualifier. With only one spot up for grabs, Koski was able to secure his tenth ticket.
The Big Picture
What’s most exciting about the men’s field at the 2025 CrossFit Games is the level of parity among the contenders. And while this isn’t a complete list of the athletes to watch, these are the guys we’re keeping an eye on.
The 2025 season feels like a transitional year in the men’s field, as a talented, young generation of athletes competes for spots, while experienced veterans retire, fail to qualify, or compete elsewhere.
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Featured Image: Carlos Fleury
