Sam Kwant suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon while competing at the Rogue Invitational this past weekend. Kwant has already undergone surgery performed by Dr. Rockett. But, unfortunately for Kwant, he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
As such, Julius Kieser has received a backfill invite to the World Fitness Project Finals next month. Kwant, who was ranked 14th in WFP season points, was in position to retain his Pro Card for the 2026 season. However, with the injury, Kwant will now drop out of the top 20 and will lose his Pro Card next year.
Kieser will now get the opportunity to compete again at a WFP event. Kieser competed in both Tour Stops already, finishing 8th in the Challenger division in Indianapolis and 29th in the Pro division in Mesa. Kieser finished 31st on the season points leaderboard with 490 points.
Kieser is the second athlete to receive a backfill invite for the WFP Finals. Tola Morakinyo got the nod last week after Victor Hoffer withdrew due to a knee injury.
So far five signed Pro athletes have withdrawn from the WFP Finals.
- Emma McQuaid
- Haley Adams
- Bethany Flores
- Victor Hoffer
- Sam Kwant
There is also a question mark surrounding Emma Tall’s participation in the WFP Finals. Tall also withdrew from the 2025 Rogue Invitational last weekend when she suffered a shoulder injury warming up for Event 3.
It appears Tall is having her shoulder evaluated today based on an Instagram story. Stay tuned. Should Tall withdraw, Janie Cheverie would be next in line for a backfill invite.
And if another male athlete withdraws, Tommaso Pieri is the next man up.
