The Far East Throwdown 2025 returns to Busan, South Korea from May 30 to June 1, 2025, offering elite CrossFit athletes a coveted pathway to the CrossFit Games. The event continues its three-year tradition as the Asia Semifinal host while remaining open to athletes worldwide through its online qualifier. Top performers will receive substantial rewards, with first-place finishers earning $5,000, second place taking home $3,000, and third place receiving $1,000.
Notably, only the top male and female athletes will secure invitations to the 2025 CrossFit Games, provided they finished in the top 1% of the CrossFit Open. Although the Far East Throwdown will also feature a 30-team competition, these teams won’t qualify for the CrossFit Games through this event.
Far East Throwdown 2025 Dates
Marking the calendar for CrossFit enthusiasts worldwide, the Far East Throwdown is scheduled to unfold over three action-packed days from May 30 to June 1, 2025. The competition takes place at the expansive Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, Republic of Korea, providing an ideal venue for this high-stakes fitness showdown.
According to the official schedule, the event kicks off at precisely 12:00 am on May 30 and concludes at 8:00 am on June 1. This timeframe allows for comprehensive testing of athletes’ abilities across multiple fitness domains. Furthermore, the competition will follow a traditional three-day format with separate livestreams available for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Far East Throwdown stands out among CrossFit Semifinals because it imposes no regional limitations. In fact, any athlete who successfully qualified through the CrossFit Open is eligible to participate. This open policy has contributed to the event’s diverse competitive field, which features 40 men and 40 women from various parts of the world.
How to Watch Far East Throwdown Live
The three-day event offers comprehensive viewing options through multiple digital platforms. CrossFit fans can tune in to the live broadcast hosted on the official Far East Throwdown YouTube channel [@fareastmedia364], which provides dedicated livestreams for each competition day. For convenience, here’s the breakdown:
- Friday: Day 1 Livestream
- Saturday: Day 2 Livestream
- Sunday: Day 3 Livestream
Beyond the YouTube channel, viewers can access the same livestream content directly through the CrossFit Games website. This ensures fans have multiple ways to follow the action regardless of their preferred platform.
For those who prefer alternative viewing methods, the livestream will simultaneously be available across several other platforms, including Facebook, Twitch, and the CrossFit Games App. This multi-platform approach makes the competition accessible to audiences with different viewing preferences.
Far East Throwdown 2025 Workouts
The physical challenges awaiting athletes at the Far East Throwdown represent some of the most grueling tests in competitive CrossFit. While the official 2025 workout lineup remains under wraps, previous competitions provide insight into what participants might face.
Looking back at the 2022 Far East Throwdown, individual athletes tackled six demanding events. The competition began with “Crossing the Gwang-an Bridge,” a three-round challenge combining rowing, muscle-ups, and hang snatches under a 12-minute time cap. Subsequently, competitors faced a barbell complex requiring three cleans, two front squats, and one jerk at maximum load.
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Far East Throwdown 2025 Roster
The competition field at the 2025 Far East Throwdown presents an impressive array of CrossFit talent across divisions. Unlike some regional competitions, this premier Asian fitness showcase features a substantial lineup with 40 men and 40 women qualified and registered to compete. Essentially, any athlete who successfully qualified through the Open can participate, as the event imposes no geographical restrictions.
Among the women’s division, several standout competitors warrant attention. Seher Kaya enters as the overwhelming favorite, seeking her third consecutive Far East Throwdown victory. Her trajectory has been steadily upward, with progressively higher placements at the CrossFit Games over the past three seasons. Meanwhile, veteran Seung Yoen Choi has already secured her Games qualification through the Wodland Fest but remains a serious podium contender. Her Semifinals record speaks volumes—she has never finished lower than second place in her previous three appearances. Dawon Jung rounds out the top female contenders, potentially earning her second consecutive CrossFit Games berth if she performs well.
On the men’s side, Morteza Sedaghat enters with unfinished business after qualifying for the 2023 CrossFit Games but missing the competition due to visa complications. Ant Haynes, often described as the “elder statesman of Asian CrossFit,” received a backfill invitation to the 2023 Games following Sedaghat’s withdrawal. Having first appeared at the Games in 2019, Haynes brings valuable experience to the competition floor. Andrey Fedotov arrives with considerable momentum after an outstanding 13th-place worldwide finish in the 2025 CrossFit Open. His previous third and fifth-place finishes at Asia Semifinals establish him as a consistent podium threat.
Beyond individual competitors, the team division will feature 30 qualified teams. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that unlike the individual division—where top finishers earn CrossFit Games invitations—team participants at Far East Throwdown do not receive Games qualification opportunities through this competition.
Athletes to Watch at Far East Throwdown 2025
Among the women, Seher Kaya enters as the frontrunner, aiming for her third consecutive Far East Throwdown victory. Her consistent improvement at the CrossFit Games, placing higher each season, demonstrates her remarkable progression as an athlete. Dawon Jung presents another fascinating storyline, having narrowly missed Games qualification in 2022 when she finished second at the Far East Throwdown Semifinal. As the first-place finisher in the 2023 Individual Quarterfinal, Jung continues her quest for a CrossFit Games debut.
On the men’s side, Morteza Sedaghat returns with unfinished business after visa complications prevented him from competing at the 2023 CrossFit Games despite qualifying. Likewise, Ant Haynes, often referred to as the “elder statesman of Asian CrossFit,” received a backfill invitation to the 2023 Games following Sedaghat’s withdrawal, making him one of the region’s most experienced competitors.
Andrey Fedotov certainly warrants attention after his impressive 13th-place worldwide finish in the 2025 CrossFit Open. His previous third and fifth-place finishes at Asia Semifinals establish him as a consistent threat for the podium. Interestingly, the competition may also unveil unexpected talent. As one coach noted about regional competitions: “One of the beautiful things about going to these competitions is that there is always the possibility of a surprise or two when it comes to athletes. This sport is still so young that you never know when you’re going to come across an athlete who may just end up being something special.”
For South Korean fans, Dawon Jung and Seungyeon Choi represent strong local hopes, with both athletes having previously demonstrated their capabilities on international stages.
Final Words
The Far East Throwdown undoubtedly stands as one of the most significant events in the CrossFit calendar, especially for Asian athletes. Looking beyond individual performances, the Far East Throwdown provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolving competitive CrossFit in Asia. Industry experts anticipate fierce battles throughout the weekend, especially among the top three competitors in each division. In the women’s category, Choi has established herself in “a league of her own” regarding not just physical capacity but also knowledge and expertise in the sport.
With top-tier athletes, challenging workouts, and significant implications for the CrossFit Games, this Busan-based competition continues strengthening its position as Asia’s premier fitness showcase while offering international competitors a valuable platform to demonstrate their capabilities.