French Throwdown Introduces Hybrid Qualifying Process for In-Person Qualifying Event

The French Throwdown is one of two In-Person Qualifying Events in Europe for the 2025 CrossFit Games season. The French Throwdown was the host of the 2024 CrossFit European Semifinal and is now incorporating last year’s results into how the 40-athlete field is selected this year.

The French Throwdown is using a mix of an online qualifier and historical performance to find the 40 men and 40 women who will compete in the elite individual division. Here is how it all works:

INVITATIONS

The French Throwdown will invite 20 athletes based on their performance in 2024. Of those, 17 invitations will be awarded to the best athletes of the 2024 CrossFit European Semifinal. In other words, the top 17 at last year’s European Semifinal receive an automatic invite to this year’s French Throwdown.

The other three invites will go to the three best French athletes from the 2024 Quarterfinals.

If an athlete declines their invitation, it will be assigned to the next athlete in the ranking (either the 2024 Semifinal finish or 2024 Quarterfinal for French athletes).

Who’s Invited?

Here are the top 17 athletes who will be invited based on the French Throwdown’s process:

2024 Semifinal Invites

Men Women
Jelle Hoste Laura Horvath
Henrik Haapalainen Gabi Migala
Aniol Ekai Emma Tall
Luka Đukić Karin Freyova
Victor Hoffer Aimee Cringle
Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson Claudia Gluck
Harry Lightfoot Linda Keesman
Calum Clements Elisa Fuliano
Moritz Fiebig Emma McQuaid
Uldis Upenieks Jacqueline Dahlstrom
Luka Vunjak Emelie Lundberg
Jonne Koski Jennifer Muir
Colin Bosshard Andrea Solberg
Fabian Beneito Ella Wilkinson
Guillaume Briant Manon Angonese
Michael Smith Thuri Helgadottir
Kevin Jurs Connie Easby

2024 French Quarterfinal Invites

Men Women
Lucas Heuze Margaux Masset
Jules Castor Lisa Janin
Willy Georges Laura Mugnier

Given the list and athletes who have indicated they will not compete in the 2025 Games season, it is likely the French Throwdown will have to utilize it backfill process. 

ONLINE QUALIFIER

For those who don’t receive an automatic invite based on their performance last year, athletes will need to qualify via the online qualifier. The French Throwdown is hosting its own qualifier where the top 20 men and top 20 women will also advance to the In-Person Qualifying Event.

The 10-day online qualifier runs from February 14-24. Registration is already open on Competition Corner. There are no geographical restrictions for athletes looking to compete and qualify for the French Throwdown.


IN-PERSON QUALIFYING EVENT

Regardless of how an athlete qualifies for the French Throwdown, all athletes must register for the 2025 CrossFit Open and finish in the top 1% worldwide.

The French Throwdown is at the Sud de France Arena in Montpelier on May 9-11.

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