CrossFit Mayhem in Cookeville, Tennessee will host the first In-Person Qualifying Event of the CrossFit Games season – the Mayhem Classic 2025 on April 5-6. This prestigious competition brings together 40 elite athletes, split equally between men and women, who will compete fiercely for their chance at the 2025 CrossFit Games.
The competition’s rich history dates back to 2020 when Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr and Chandler Smith claimed victory in its inaugural event. Athletes earn their spots through the Rogue Points System, making it an invitational-only showcase. Fourth-ranked athletes Roman Khrennikov and Danielle Brandon lead the impressive roster. Each division offers two coveted spots at the CrossFit Games, but qualifying athletes must also prove their worth by finishing in the top 1% of the 2025 CrossFit Open.
Mayhem Classic Returns as First Games Qualifier
The historic Mayhem Classic makes its comeback to the competitive CrossFit world after a five-year break. This competition, last held in 2020, will serve as a pivotal qualifier for the 2025 CrossFit Games season.
Rich Froning has breathed new life into the event with major changes to how the competition runs. The selection process now matches the Rogue Invitational’s approach. Froning’s role goes beyond just organizing – he directly oversees the programming to give a detailed test of athletic skill.
The event keeps its exclusive feel by staying invitation-only instead of using an online qualifier. This setup makes the Mayhem Classic stand out from other In-Person Qualifying Events (IPQEs). Athletes got their original invites based on their ranking in the Rogue Points System, which looks at how they performed across different competitions.
Top Athletes Compete for 2025 Games Spots
The lineup features 40 elite athletes split evenly between men and women. Roman Khrennikov and Danielle Brandon, both ranked fourth in their divisions, lead an impressive group of competitors. The men’s side also showcases athletes like:
- Dallin Pepper (ranked 6th)
- Jayson Hopper (ranked 7th)
- Travis Mayer (ranked 15th)
The women’s field is just as strong with Emma Lawson (ranked 6th), Brooke Wells (ranked 9th), and Alexis Raptis (ranked 10th) all fighting for qualifying spots.
The stakes are high – only the top two finishers from each division will earn their spots at the 2025 CrossFit Games. These athletes must also place in the top 1% of the 2025 CrossFit Open to keep their Games eligibility. This two-part qualification system will give spots only to the most well-rounded athletes at the sport’s biggest event.
The competition’s return to Cookeville, Tennessee, really appeals to the CrossFit community as the first chance for athletes to qualify for the 2025 Games. This edition builds on the legacy of the 2020 event, where Tia-Clair Toomey and Chandler Smith took home the wins.
Athletes Battle Through Invitation Process
The Mayhem Classic 2025 stands out from regular qualifying events with its exclusive invitation-only format.
The competition team uses the time-tested Rogue Points System to review athletes based on their multi-year performances. This complete ranking system looks at results from the CrossFit Games, Rogue Invitational, CrossFit Open, and Quarterfinals. Points decrease yearly to give more weight to recent achievements.
Final Roster Shows Elite Lineup
The first wave of invites went to the top 18 athletes from each division based on Rogue rankings. The organizing committee then gave out two wildcard spots per division to fill the 40-athlete field. The final roster features some amazing talent:
- Roman Khrennikov and Danielle Brandon (both ranked 4th)
- Dallin Pepper and Emma Lawson (both ranked 6th)
- Jayson Hopper (ranked 7th) and Brooke Wells (ranked 9th)
Update: It remains uncertain whether Emma will compete at the Mayhem Classic on the first weekend of April, as she has cited a back injury and may choose to focus on the WFP season instead. The Mayhem Classic 2025 originally had Lawson among the 20 confirmed female athletes. However, since she will not receive an invite to the Games, it is likely that we won’t see her in Cookeville on April 5-6.
Notable Athletes Miss Qualification
Some prominent athletes turned down their invites, which led organizers to reach out to more competitors. Gabi Migala stepped back because of an ongoing Achilles injury from the Rogue Invitational. Emma Tall decided to skip the Games season completely. The men’s side lost both Chandler Smith and Noah Ohlsen, who won’t compete individually this season.
The backfill process stuck to the Rogue Points System rankings to keep things fair. The field now has athletes ranked as high as 81st in the Rogue system, which shows how deep the talent pool runs in the sport. Athletes must still place in the top 1% of the CrossFit Open to keep their Games qualification chance.
This selection method rewards athletes who perform well consistently across major competitions. The approach matches the event’s goal to showcase elite talent while giving athletes a clear path to the 2025 CrossFit Games.
CrossFit Mayhem Transforms Competition Venue
CrossFit Mayhem’s 18,000-square-foot facility will undergo a major transformation to host the 2025 Mayhem Classic. The venue’s rise shows its status as a globally recognized sports destination that draws athletes worldwide.
CrossFit Mayhem 3.0, the expanded facility, brings new amenities to support elite competition. The venue features:
- A wellness center with chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, and nutrition resources
- A dedicated space for education and mobility/yoga
- Modern locker room facilities
- A wifi/work lounge built for business professionals
The facility’s layout creates optimal training zones with top-tier CrossFit equipment in the expanded workout space. Athletes can prepare better for competition with specialized areas designed for specific movement patterns.
Spectator Areas Maximize Viewing Experience
Spectators will enjoy thoughtfully designed viewing areas in the redesigned venue. The facility’s climate-controlled zones let fans watch competitions comfortably. Key features include:
- Multiple viewing spots around the competition floor
- Temperature-controlled shaded areas with Big Ass Fans
- Live competition feeds on large screens
- A VIP section with premium viewing options
CrossFit Mayhem’s North Park serves as another viewing spot with food vendors and entertainment. VIP wristband holders get extra perks such as:
- Food and merchandise discounts
- Entry to exclusive areas
- Special event giveaways
The venue now includes an on-site store and online fulfillment center. This retail setup helps spectators buy merchandise quickly during competitions. The facility’s Cookeville location makes it easy for athletes and spectators to access, making it a premier competition venue.
Programming Committee Designs Elite Tests
Rich Froning and his programming committee have designed a series of challenging tests for the Mayhem Classic 2025. The competition blends traditional CrossFit elements with fresh workout combinations that set new benchmarks for elite fitness testing. Athletes will tackle a diverse training schedule that spans multiple fitness domains.
The competition week unfolds with this rigorous lineup:
- Monday brings Olympic lifting with a focus on snatch work from hanging positions
- Tuesday highlights pressing movements and overhead work
- Wednesday features clean variations and heavy lifting elements
- Thursday offers active recovery
- Friday and Saturday showcase competition-specific workouts
Events Mix Classic CrossFit with Fresh Challenges
The programming team has added unique elements that test athletes in new ways. Strongman-style movements blend with advanced gymnastics skills to create distinctive workouts. The team has also added movements rarely seen in typical CrossFit Open programming to give a full picture of athletic skill.
Strategic workout sequencing keeps the intensity high throughout the competition. Heavy barbell complexes challenge athletes during afternoon sessions. These often pair classic movements like burpee box jump-overs with Olympic lifting elements to test both strength and endurance when fatigue kicks in.
Athletes will face these challenges:
- Position-specific Olympic lifting variations
- Complex gymnastics skill combinations
- Heavy lifting mixed with metabolic conditioning
- Strongman-inspired movement patterns
- Technical gymnastics challenges
Smart planning allows proper recovery time between events. The workout intensity builds gradually with strategic rest periods built into the schedule. This approach helps competitors deliver their best performances across all events.
Workouts challenge the limits of fitness while staying true to CrossFit’s core principles. Athletes must show mastery of basic movements along with advanced skills. This balanced testing will identify well-rounded athletes ready to excel at the CrossFit Games.
Final Words
The Mayhem Classic 2025 is a defining moment in CrossFit competition history. This elite event gives athletes their first chance to qualify for the 2025 CrossFit Games. Rich Froning’s expertise shapes the competition structure and programming, which puts athletes through detailed tests in multiple fitness domains.
The event’s prestigious status shows in its carefully chosen roster of 40 elite competitors. Athletes must prove themselves through tough workouts and meet strict qualifying standards, including finishing in the top 1% of the CrossFit Open. The redesigned CrossFit Mayhem facility serves as the perfect setting for this high-stakes competition and offers better amenities to athletes and spectators alike.
Smart programming mixes traditional CrossFit elements with new challenges to test athletes’ strength, skill, and endurance. This balanced approach helps identify truly well-rounded athletes who deserve to advance to the CrossFit Games. The Mayhem Classic 2025 has become the life-blood of the competitive CrossFit season and sets new standards for excellence in the sport.
Mayhem Classic 2025: FAQs
Q1. What is the Mayhem Classic 2025? The Mayhem Classic 2025 is an elite CrossFit competition serving as the first In-Person Qualifying Event for the 2025 CrossFit Games. It will take place on April 5-6 at CrossFit Mayhem in Cookeville, Tennessee, featuring 40 top athletes competing for spots at the Games.
Q2. How are athletes selected for the Mayhem Classic? Athletes are invited based on their performance in the Rogue Points System, which evaluates results from various CrossFit competitions. The top 18 athletes in each division receive initial invitations, with two additional wildcard spots per division to complete the 40-athlete field.
Q3. What makes the Mayhem Classic unique among CrossFit competitions? The Mayhem Classic stands out due to its invitation-only format, Rich Froning’s involvement in programming, and its status as the first opportunity for athletes to qualify for the 2025 CrossFit Games. It also features a transformed venue with enhanced facilities for athletes and spectators.
Q4. Who is behind the Mayhem Classic? Rich Froning, a prominent figure in CrossFit, is the driving force behind the Mayhem Classic. He leads the programming committee and oversees the event’s organization, leveraging his experience to create a comprehensive test of athletic ability.
Q5. What can athletes expect from the programming at the Mayhem Classic? The programming at the Mayhem Classic balances traditional CrossFit elements with innovative challenges. Athletes will face a variety of tests, including Olympic lifting variations, complex gymnastics skills, strongman-inspired movements, and high-intensity metabolic conditioning workouts designed to identify well-rounded competitors.
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