James Sprague has officially punched his ticket to the 2025 HYROX World Championships after an impressive performance at HYROX Las Vegas.
Competing in the Men’s Pro U24 division, the current fittest on earth demonstrated his endurance and strength in the demanding hybrid fitness competition.
This achievement comes just a week after his victory at TYR Wodapalooza, further cementing his reputation as a versatile competitor capable of excelling in both CrossFit and endurance-based events.
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A Strong Performance in HYROX Las Vegas
Unlike some of his CrossFit peers, such as Justin Medeiros and Ellie Turner, who competed in the Mixed Doubles division, Sprague opted to take on HYROX as an individual in the Pro division.
Although he was not part of the Elite 15—a group featuring top HYROX athletes like Hunter McIntyre and Dylan Scott—Sprague still competed on the same course, facing the same grueling fitness challenges.
He crossed the finish line in 1:03:05, a time that would have placed him 13th among the Elite 15. For comparison, Dylan Scott won the Elite 15 heat with a time of 56:34, just 23 seconds ahead of McIntyre.
One of the standout moments of Sprague’s performance came during the 100 wall balls, where he logged the fastest time among all elite male athletes—even beating McIntyre and Scott. While he did not complete the movement unbroken, he opened with an impressive set of 60 consecutive reps, showcasing his power and endurance.
Balancing HYROX and CrossFit: A Potential Scheduling Conflict?
Sprague’s qualification for HYROX Worlds raises an important question: Will he be available to compete?
The HYROX World Championships are scheduled for June 12-15, 2025, in Chicago. However, this timeframe may overlap with CrossFit’s Last Chance Qualifier, a crucial event for athletes who have not yet secured their spot at the 2025 CrossFit Games.
If Sprague qualifies for the Games before June, he could fully commit to HYROX Worlds. However, if he still needs to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier, he may face a difficult decision between the two competitions.
Family Support and CrossFit Presence at HYROX
Sprague was not the only family member on the competition floor—his brother, Spencer Sprague, competed in the same heat, finishing with a solid time of 1:08:13.
His father, Pat Sprague, was also present, livestreaming James’ entire race on Instagram, allowing fans to follow along in real-time.
The HYROX Las Vegas event attracted several well-known CrossFit athletes and personalities. The HWPO team, led by Mat Fraser, Matt O’Keefe, and Sammy Moniz, attended, while the Buttery Bros were on-site covering the action.
What’s Next for James Sprague?
With a ticket to the HYROX World Championships secured, Sprague faces a pivotal year ahead. His performances suggest that he has the potential to compete at an elite level in both HYROX and CrossFit, making him a unique athlete in the fitness space.
The coming months will determine where he chooses to focus his efforts. Will he prioritize HYROX and hybrid fitness competitions, or will his attention remain on CrossFit and a potential Games appearance?
Either way, his recent performances indicate that he is a rising star capable of excelling across multiple fitness disciplines.
