Colten Mertens crushed the men’s division with 361 reps in Open Workout 25.1, while Mirjam von Rohr led the women’s field with 359 reps. Athletes faced a grueling 15-minute AMRAP that combined lateral burpees over dumbbells, dumbbell hang clean-to-overheads, and 30-foot walking lunges. The ascending rep scheme challenged competitors to balance their pace and strategy effectively. The CrossFit community’s inclusive spirit shone brightly as Cameron Whittaker achieved 451 reps in the Seated Quadriplegic category and Hope Kittel reached an incredible 632 reps in the adaptive division.
Open Workout 25.1 Results
Swiss athletes set exceptional standards in Open Workout 25.1 for both divisions. Colten Mertens grabbed first place in the men’s division with an outstanding 361 reps. He completed 10 full rounds plus 11 burpees over the dumbbell. His skillful execution showed remarkable work capacity as he averaged more than 24 reps per minute during the 15-minute challenge.
Mirjam von Rohr kept her winning streak going from last year’s victory in the women’s division. The Swiss athlete’s previous win in Open Workout 24.1 helped her showcase her expertise with 359 reps. She reached 9 burpees into the round of 33. Her pace almost matched Mertens’ performance and set a new standard for female athletes.
Competition was intense throughout both divisions. Colin Bosshard took second place in the men’s category with 358 reps, while Dallin Pepper secured third with 348 reps. The women’s competition saw Alazne Egiazabal claim second position with 345 reps. Caroline Dardini and Fee Saghafi tied for third at 343 reps.
The workout’s easy-to-scale nature boosted participation rates significantly. 90% of men and 70% of women in the 18-34 age group chose the Rx’d version. Masters divisions made up much of the field, with athletes over 34 representing 57% of participants.
Score distribution revealed the workout’s true intensity. Only 13% of participants made it to round 9, and less than 1% pushed into round 10. These numbers highlight how exceptional the top performances were, especially with such demanding movements.
Athletes showed impressive results across age categories. Drake Flones and Carolyne Prevost led the 35-39 group with 325 and 341 reps respectively. Athletes in adaptive divisions, especially in seated categories, showed incredible resilience and skill with their outstanding achievements.
How Winners Mastered the 15-Minute Challenge
Athletes who excelled in Open Workout 25.1 showed perfect execution through smart pacing and smooth movement patterns. The ascending rep scheme started from 3 and increased by 3 each round. This proved challenging since merely 13% of participants reached round 9. Less than 1% made it to round 10.
The best performers kept a steady pace in their original rounds. They started at 70-75% effort and built up to 85% as the workout continued. Those who completed 7-8 rounds found their rhythm in the first three rounds. They checked their intensity halfway through.
The workout needed exact movement execution. Athletes kept their bodies close to the ground during burpees to save energy. For dumbbell hang clean-to-overheads, successful athletes employed a push jerk instead of a push press. This helped reduce shoulder fatigue. They switched arms every 3-6 reps to balance the load on their shoulders.
Quick transitions became a vital factor. Athletes placed their equipment in the right spots to minimize movement between exercises. Walking lunges gave them active recovery time. This helped them control their breathing and mentally prepare for the next rounds.
Breaking the 15-minute challenge into phases worked well. Athletes set their pace and controlled breathing in the first 5 minutes. They kept moving steadily with minimal rest from minutes 5-10. The last five minutes needed focused execution with brief, planned breaks.
Movement efficiency became crucial as athletes got tired. The successful ones used a hook grip during dumbbell work. This helped them avoid gripping the weight repeatedly. They took long, steady strides during lunges to reduce their total steps.
Meal timing played the most important role in performance. Athletes ate carbs and protein 1-2 hours before starting. They kept taking diluted sports drinks to maintain electrolytes during the workout. This smart approach to fueling helped them maintain output through all movements in this tough 15-minute test.
Community Responds to Workout 25.1
The global CrossFit landscape has seen notable changes in Open Workout 25.1 participation patterns. The United States managed to keep its leading position with a 2.25% boost in participation share. American athletes now make up nearly 42% of the total field. France moved into second place and surpassed the United Kingdom with a 0.42% increase. Brazil then fell from fourth to sixth place compared to 2024.
South Korea showed remarkable strength among top participating nations. An impressive 91% of Korean athletes chose the Rx’d version. Australia followed at 88% and the United Kingdom at 86%. Athletes completing more than 232 reps (8 rounds) became a key performance metric. South Korea led this category with 20% of participants reaching this milestone. Spain followed at 15% and Australia at 14%.
The 2025 Open’s demographic makeup reveals interesting age patterns. Masters divisions, which include athletes over 34, made up 57% of all participants. Individual competitors aged 18-34 represented 41% of athletes. Teenage athletes between 14-17 years accounted for 2%.
CrossFit implemented detailed safety measures after tragic events in 2024:
- Creation of a Senior Safety Leadership Role reporting directly to CrossFit’s Sport Organization head
- Formation of a Safety Advisory Board comprising medical professionals and athletes
- Improved pre-event rehearsals and briefings
- Mandatory on-site emergency resources that exceed local requirements
- Integration of mental health professionals into medical teams
The Community Cup revolutionized the competition structure. This new tier-based stage groups athletes into five distinct categories – Pro, Advanced, Intermediate, Novice, and Rookie – based on Open performance. Athletes could register and submit scores until March 3, 5 p.m. PT to qualify.
CrossFit Mayhem in Tennessee hosted the workout announcement with elite athletes Roman Khrennikov, Austin Hatfield, and Haley Adams. Four-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning made a surprise appearance that showed the enduring competitive spirit across generations.
Final Words
Colten Mertens and Mirjam von Rohr’s record-breaking performances showed how athletes now approach complex workouts differently. Athletes who became skilled at efficient movements and smart pacing strategies got better results, especially during crucial transitions.
The worldwide response proved CrossFit’s growing popularity. The U.S. stayed at the top while European countries made huge strides forward. France and the Netherlands stood out with impressive growth. The masters division made up 57% of all participants, which shows how the sport appeals to athletes of all ages.
The adaptive divisions inspired everyone as athletes like Cameron Whittaker and Hope Kittel raised the bar higher. These outstanding performances, combined with the tactical excellence of top athletes and worldwide participation, strengthened CrossFit’s reputation as an inclusive, challenging sport that keeps moving forward.