🇮🇹 The Crown Goes Italian

October 7th, 2025

Sponsored by

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • 🌍 HYROX returns to its roots — Alexander Roncevic rewrites the record books.

  • 💡 HYROX isn’t a fad; it’s your next member pipeline.

  • 🇮🇹 The Progrm expands youth competition series, adds Milan to European tour.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
❝

“Our focus is experience over competition. Kids don’t have enough to connect them like adults do, and we are trying to find more ways for them to do that.”

John Singleton on The Crown Series competitions for teen athletes.
HYROX

Alexander Roncevic Sets HYROX World Record at First Major of the Season

Credit: @hyroxworld / Instagram

Athletes descended upon Hamburg, Germany, over the weekend for the first HYROX Major of the 2025/26 season. 

  • The Elite 15 field was filled with top competitors, including a notable, world record-breaking performance by Austrian athlete Alexander Roncevic. 

Remind me: HYROX Hamburg took place over the weekend, returning to the city where it all started for the fitness race that has taken the industry by storm. The race was the first Major of the 2025/26 season. Elite athletes will have three more opportunities to secure their spot at the World Championships. 

The details: On Friday, the Elite 15 men and women took to the competition floor. Roncevic started at the front of the pack and battled Dylan Scott throughout nearly the entire race. Scott pushed Roncevic on the runs in the second half of the race, and both athletes reached the final wall ball station almost simultaneously. 

It was Roncevic’s slightly faster wall ball cadence that both helped him win the division and set a new world record.

  • Continue reading to see how Roncevic edged out a legend by mere seconds. 

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SPEED READS

🎥💪 Next Up, Rogue Invitational: Check out this behind-the-scenes look at Justin Medeiros’ Rogue prep. The two-time Rogue Invitational champ works in some sandbags, pegboards, logs, and more.

🏋️ From 550 Pounds to Strict Pull-Ups: David Fennell’s radical transformation shows CrossFit as the anchor, not just a tool.

🧠📉 Gen Z’s Mental Health Crisis Is Real: A new survey finds 94% of young people report monthly mental health struggles — but most still prioritize fitness as a key coping tool. Gen Z ranks fitness as their top discretionary expense, with three in four training at least twice a week.

🏋️‍♀️🎂 100-Year-Old Still Hits the Gym: Virginia Beach centenarian, Ruth Lemay, credits consistency, positivity, and staying active with what keeps her going strong past the century mark. And, she’s still at the gym three days a week, every week.

🏋️🎯 CrossFit Is for Anyone, Period: The methodology isn’t just about elite performance — it’s about scaling functional movement and intensity so anyone, at any age or fitness level, can build strength, resilience, and health that translates to real life.

ICYMI: 🏋️‍♂️ Teens want strength & conditioning, but most CrossFit affiliates aren’t tapping in.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The HYROX Gold Rush: Why CrossFit affiliates Might Be Missing a $650 Million Opportunity

Credit: Scott Freymond

You're chasing leads. Running ads. Offering free trials.

  • Meanwhile, an entirely new group of athletes is actively seeking exactly what you provide — and most affiliates are unaware of their existence.

We recently talked with Chris Hinshaw about the rapid growth of HYROX, and what he shared should make every affiliate owner take notice.

HYROX isn't just another fitness trend; it's a business opportunity that can significantly enhance your member acquisition and retention strategies.

The Athlete You're Not Seeing

"For the first time, there's an incredible influx of new participants, new memberships into affiliates because of HYROX," Hinshaw told us.

Here's what makes this different from every other fitness trend: these aren't tire-kickers. They're dedicated athletes with a clear goal.

  • When a HYROX athlete walks through your door, they're essentially indicating they'll be there for at least one year. Not because you convinced them, but because the sport itself requires it.

TRIVIA

🏆 Between the CrossFit Games, Rogue Invitational, and Wodapalooza Miami, how many podium finishes does Patrick Vellner have?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Last week, we asked: 🥇 Which of the following athletes has NOT won Crash Crucible?

  • Jayson Hopper

  • James Sprague ✅

  • Luke Parker

  • Austin Hatfield

  • Taylor Self

  • Colten Mertens

The correct answer was James Sprague. Overall, 25.8% of you got this one right. The second most guessed answer was 19.3%.

COMPETITIONS

The Crown Series Expands into Italy, Joins Fall Series Italian Showdown

Credit: @theprogrmcrown / Instagram

For the first time, The Progrm’s The Crown Series is heading to Italy, as it will partner with one of the longest-standing CrossFit-licensed events, the Fall Series Italian Showdown. 

Remind me: The Crown Series is a passion project of The Progrm’s founder, John Singleton. Over the years, the brand has grown into a series of competitions across Europe, culminating in a grand finale event on the island of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, held at the Nike castle. 

The competitions host some of the best teens in the fitness world and serve as a way to gain experience, make connections, and stacking core memories. 

  • “Since its very first edition,” John Singleton told Morning Chalk Up, “The Crown has been more than a competition. It started as a way to bring together young athletes from across the globe, giving them a stage to showcase their passion for fitness, but also a space to learn, grow, and create lifelong friendships.”

Over the years, The Crown’s events have become landmarks for the next generation, a community where athletes support each other and share unforgettable experiences. 

Last year, The Crown Series partnered with Wodland Fest Málaga and the Wodla Gothenburg Throwdown, highlighting emerging teenage athletes. Now, the series will expand to Milan, Italy, with the Fall Series Showdown taking place from December 12 to 14.

HIGHLIGHTS

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