Fan expectations are high as we head into the first day of the inaugural World Fitness Project Tour Event I in Indianapolis, IN. The star-studded field of Pros and Challengers will take on two events as they embark on a season-long quest to earn points toward securing a guaranteed contract for 2026.
- To mark this new pro tour, eight writers and staff from Morning Chalk Up came together for a game within the game. What better way to add an extra layer of competition and trash talk than with a fantasy draft? After our podium picks and preview, check out how the draft played out below.
Who to Watch in Indy
Women
The favorite – Laura Horvath
- In an unexpected turn, Horvath took second place at TYR Wodapalooza in January, missing out on the win by just one point to Lucy Campbell. Nevertheless, given her overall resume, she remains the clear favorite.
Contenders
- Arielle Loewen – Loewen has consistently demonstrated that she has no glaring weaknesses. She is a model of consistency and has home run-hitting capability.
- Alex Gazan – Gazan skipped the online Semifinals last weekend to prepare for WFP. She finished fifth at the 2023 Games (and earned “Most Improved” honors), and the workouts in Indy line up well for her.
- Emma Tall – Soft-spoken and often underrated, Tall has the potential to surprise people this weekend.
- Lucy Campbell – She is the only woman in the field who has stood above Horvath on the podium. We would have to go back to the 2019 Games to find anyone else in the field who finished ahead of Horvath in a live event. That year, Bethany Flores (Shadburne) finished eighth, Danielle Brandon 10th, and Horvath 14th.
Men
The favorite: Jeff Adler
- We have seen Adler on the competition floor only a few times since winning the 2023 Games. He has either won or placed second in every in-person competition he has entered since. He just (unofficially) won CrossFit’s In-Affiliate Semis, winning three of the six workouts along the way.
Contenders
- James Sprague – The reigning Fittest on Earth is a fierce competitor. He claimed victory at TYR Wodapalooza and is out to show the world that his victories were not a fluke.
- Dallin Pepper – The former three-time teen champion just keeps getting better. At just 22 years old, he is already a seasoned veteran in the sport.
- Justin Medeiros – Medeiros has dealt with nagging injuries over the last two years and is finally feeling healthy. A true tactician on the competition floor, the two-time Fittest on Earth poses a threat to win any competition.
The level of talent in the field is downright ridiculous. Adler is the favorite, but any order between second and 10th would not be surprising.
Morning Chalk Up X Fantasy Fitnessing Draft
Each “team manager” selected three men and three women during a six-round snake draft. Some of us chased podium favorites, while others took bold risks with sleeper picks. The winner will be determined by which team earns the highest combined point total.
If you’ve played fantasy sports, you know the elation of selecting the player you want for your team. You become immediately invested in their success. When you’re on the clock, you must decide whether to go with your heart or your head.
- Fortunately for me, my heart and head aligned with my first pick – Justin Medeiros. Let’s go!
We randomized the draft order as follows below, and all the picks are in. Here’s how our teams turned out:
Joe Genetin-Pilawa, Managing Editor
- Jeff Adler | Danielle Brandon
- Austin Hatfield | Dani Speegle
- Tola Morakinyo | Trista Smith
Dave Charlton, Founder of Fran Lung Analytics and Fantasyfitnessing.com
- Jayson Hopper | Laura Horvath
- Chandler Smith | Lucy Campbell
- Nate Ackermann | Maddie Sturt
Nicky Freymond, Social Media Manager
- Dallin Pepper | Anikha Greer
- Luka Ðukić | Bethany Flores
- Jonne Koski | Oda Lundekvam
Teaganne Finn, Writer
- Pat Vellner | Aimee Cringle
- Colten Mertens | Brooke Wells
- Björgvin Karl Gudmunðsson | Lydia Fish
Mike Halpin, Known_Knowable, Writer
- Ricky Garard | Alexis Raptis
- Sam Kwant | Fee Saghafi
- Travis Mayer | Manon Angonese
Scott Freymond, Writer
- Justin Medeiros | Emma Tall
- Jelle Hoste | Emily Rolfe
- Colin Bosshard | Sydney Wells
Julila Papworth, Writer
- Roman Khrennikov | Arielle Loewen
- Jay Crouch | Olivia Kerstetter
- Aniol Ekai | Paige Semenza
Emily Beers, Senior Writer
- James Sprague | Alex Gazan
- Gui Malheiros | Emma Lawson
- Victor Hoffer | Andrea Solberg
Worth noting: A total of five male and six female “Pro Challengers” (those who qualified via the online Challenger Qualifier I) were selected: Aniol Ekai, Colten Mertens, Tola Morakinyo, Nate Ackermann, and Colin Bosshard for the men; Anhika Greer, Fee Saghafi, Andrea Solberg, Lydia Fish, Oda Lundekvam, and Trista Smith for the women.
The Bottom Line
Playing fantasy games adds an element of investment, strategy, and trash talk to the event. Sign up at fantasyfitnessing.com, create a league, and draft with friends. Alternatively, play the salary cap game, where you select three men and three women within your budget. Then, tune in to watch the action at worldfitnessproject.com!
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- Competitor Nayeli Clemente Dies Following Medical Emergency at CrossFit Licensed Event in Mexico
- 2025 World Fitness Project, Tour Event I: Full Schedule, Workouts, and How to Watch
Featured Image: Scott Freymond
