Sydney Wells Is Grateful for a Busy 2025

March 28th, 2025

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Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • Sydney Wells just finished 44th worldwide in the Open and enters the summer eager for redemption after her early-season exit in 2024. Read about her story below.

  • CrossFit gymnastics legend Pamela Gagnon provides some training tips for the pull-up, wall walk, and ring dip to help you build a strong foundation.

  • HYROX has announced a new qualification rule that will take effect during the 2025/26 season. Below, find out how it will impact the Pro and Open Divisions.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“But after what happened to me last year – not getting to compete – I’m so thankful for the many opportunities to compete this year.” - Sydney Wells on building from her experiences in the 2024 season.

PROFILE

Credit: Lydia Stadthoewer

Sydney Wells Takes on a Busy 2025 Season, Grateful for Increased Opportunities

Sydney Wells made her CrossFit Games debut in 2023, where she battled through the first round of cuts to earn a 28th-place finish. 

  • With Games experience under her belt, Wells looked to qualify again in 2024, but drastic penalties in Quarterfinals ended her season before it really began. 

She rebounded at the 2024 Rogue Invitational, taking home two top-five event finishes and coming in 14th place overall. She then joined up with her sister Brooke and fellow Adidas athlete Haley Adams to compete on a team at TYR Wodapalooza, where they took seventh.

After finishing the 2025 CrossFit Open in 44th place worldwide, Wells now heads into the Semifinal stage of the season with an eye toward earning her way back to the Games. 

  • There’s one extra wrinkle to Wells’ 2025 campaign: she holds a coveted Pro roster spot for the inaugural season of the World Fitness Project (WFP). 

Wells knows she has a busy year ahead of her, but she’s ready to take on the challenge.

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SPEED READS

🌎🥇 WFP Challenger Online Qualifier I Results: Though not finalized, check out the unofficial results of the first World Fitness Project Qualifier here.

🌎 🎟️ 2025 Qualifying Event Updates: Here are a few quick updates from some of the 2025 CrossFit Games Qualifying Events.

  • NorCal Classic: The final In-Person Qualifying Event of the season has completed its backfill process, but there are still slots available in the community divisions. Learn more here.

  • Syndicate Crown: Organizers of the North America East In-Person Qualifying Event have begun releasing team workouts.

  • Far East Throwdown: Athletes interested in joining the individual division have until March 30 to register.

😎 🏆 The TYR Cup Is Back!: TYR Wodapalooza SoCal is back and bringing the TYR Cup to Huntington Beach on September 19-21 for the second annual team throwdown. More details about TYR WZA SoCal athlete registration, division breakdowns, and the TYR Cup are coming soon.

ICYMI: Arielle Loewen is building her brand with a love of community at the center. Learn more about her plans for this season and beyond.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Credit: @b.a.w_media / Instagram

My Season is Over. Why Should I Focus on My Gymnastics Skills?

The Open season is over, which means that 99% of us have ended our quest for a CrossFit Games invitation. However, the Community Cup is approaching, and it’s never too early to start preparing for the 2026 CrossFit Open!

For most individuals, elite competition isn’t the goal, so we find reasons to avoid focusing on higher-level skills.

Does this mindset sound familiar? “Sure, the wall walks slowed me down, and I still can’t do pull-ups after six years, but what does it matter anyway? Why would I possibly need to know how to walk on my hands or pull my body over a bar?”

Why Progress Matters

Imagine being in the same math class for four years in high school. You might begin to feel defeated, frustrated, and unaccomplished. 

  • Using banded assistance for pull-ups for four years likely conveys a similar message. 

What you need to understand is that skills are merely catalysts for driving our progress in everyday life. 

It’s not really about the pull-up; it's about seeing the hard work pay off. 

THINGS TO…

…CONSIDER

“Does Fitness Really Need a Headquarters?”

Mason Startup posed this question in the title of his latest YouTube video. His answer may surprise you, so take a look and see if you agree with his assessment or not.  

…DO

The Annual Mayhem for Freedom Workout

The Mayhem for Freedom event will take place on April 5 at the Mayhem Classic Invitational, but your gym can partner with Mayhem Missions from anywhere. This event is in partnership with Atlas Free, and all proceeds from the workout fundraiser will aid in the fight against human trafficking.

…ENTER

An Application for the Red Bull HYROX Coaches Camp

Apply now to attend the Red Bull HYROX Coaches Camp, taking place from August 4 to 7 at the renowned Silverstone Race Circuit and Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes, UK. This three-day summit will enhance your knowledge in data analysis, training plans, periodization, and HYROX coaching methodology.

HYROX

Credit: @hyroxworld / Instagram

HYROX Announces New Qualification Rule for 2025/26 World Championships

HYROX will be changing the qualification rules for the 2025/26 season, limiting the qualifying spots available for the World Championships to athletes competing in the Pro Division only. 

The fitness racing brand announced this major change to the World Championship Qualification System last week in a press release and shared additional information. It’s important to note that it will not impact the current 2024/25 season. 

The details: Qualifying for HYROX World Championships will be limited to athletes in the Pro Division only.

  • An exception is the 60+ age division. Athletes in the Open division in that age bracket will still be able to qualify. 

  • The other exception involves HYROX Open Championships (European, U.S., and Asian-Pacific), which will still offer Worlds qualification slots for age-group champions.

This new provision takes effect on June 28, 2025, beginning with the HYROX Singapore race. 

  • Athletes who have already registered in the Open Division for any of the 2025/26 season races can switch to the Pro Division at no cost.

HIGHLIGHTS

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