Three CrossFit Athletes Look to Move Forward in Albany After Tragedy Overshadowed Their 2024 Rookie Campaigns

Three CrossFit athletes are returning to the Games this year after their rookie season was overshadowed by tragedy. Last year, the drowning of competitor Lazar Đukić cast a dark cloud over their debut. Despite this, the athletes—Claudia Gluck among them—chose to persevere. Now, as they prepare to compete again in Albany, they hope to put the past behind them and experience a Games defined by competition, not loss.

However, the dream quickly shattered. During the first event, Serbian competitor Lazar Đukić drowned in open water. The tragedy unfolded before the Games had even begun in earnest. It changed everything.

Soon after, the tone of the weekend shifted. The competition paused. The athletes stood in silence. Then, some chose to walk away. By the end, 12 individuals and two teams had withdrawn. Each cited Đukić’s death as the reason.

Interestingly, none of the 22 individual rookies were among them. Not one left. That decision was not easy. For many, it was the most difficult moment of their careers.

Gluck, for one, stayed. She had waited too long for this chance. Walking away didn’t feel right—not for her.

“I did not [consider it]. I believe everyone made the best decision for themselves, and I more than respect that and hope the same way around.”

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Now, one year later, 10 of those 22 rookies are back. They will compete again at the 2025 CrossFit Games in Albany, New York. This time, they hope for something much simpler—a normal Games experience.

Together, they form this year’s sophomore class. Each of them carries memories of 2024. Each remembers the loss. Still, they return with renewed focus. They know what’s at stake.

Therefore, this second chance matters even more. Furthermore, they come in stronger. Moreover, they come in wiser. They come ready.

2025 CrossFit Games Sophomore Class

Women

Athlete	Country
Claudia Gluck	🇫🇷 France
Hattie Kanyo	🇺🇸 USA
Grace Walton	🇺🇸 USA
Aimee Cringle	🇮🇲 Isle of Man
Lexi Neely	🇺🇸 USA

Men

Athlete	Country
Austin Hatfield	🇺🇸 USA
Harry Lightfoot	🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Peter Ellis	🇦🇺 Australia
Calum Clements	🇳🇿 New Zealand
Chris Ibarra	🇺🇸 USA

After Tragedy in 2024, Three CrossFit Athletes Return to Albany Seeking redemption

Chris Ibarra

Chris Ibarra didn’t know Đukić personally. Still, the news shook him. As the chaos settled after Event 1, one thought haunted him: “Holy crap, that could have been me.”

Immediately, he called his mentor, five-time Games athlete Jacob Heppner, for guidance.

“I asked if I should continue competing, and he said he would always be behind me no matter what I decided,” Ibarra said.

Eventually, Ibarra chose to keep going. He went on to finish 19th overall, though he described the weekend as “tainted.”

This year, the road back hasn’t been easy. Ibarra missed qualifying through the In-Affiliate Semifinals by one spot—placing 12th. However, he bounced back to win the TFX Invitational In-Person Qualifying Event. He also placed 16th at Tour Event I and will compete as a challenger in the World Fitness Project.

While he admits he doesn’t know what a “normal” Games feels like, he’s hoping this year will finally give him that.

“Last year is my normal, so I’m really excited to have a good experience because last year was really rough,” he said.

His goals are clear. He wants a top-10 finish—and a World Fitness Project pro contract by season’s end.

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Hattie Kanyo

For Hattie Kanyo, the pressure after Đukić’s death was overwhelming. She felt the weight of expectation. The opinions were loud. Everyone had a view on whether she should continue.

“This was my first Games experience, and it was the only way I knew how to try to find happiness in all the sadness,” she said.

After the Games, Kanyo went home feeling lost. For a week, she ate nothing but Wendy’s chicken sandwiches and ice cream. Then, it was time to return to training.

“In hindsight, I wish I had taken a bit more time off from the gym and gotten out of my house more,” she said. “But after what had happened, I just chilled hard and tried to figure out how to be proud of myself and then decided I needed the gym to keep me sane.”

That decision paid off. Kanyo skipped the In-Affiliate Semifinals and instead punched her ticket at the Northern California Classic IPQE, where she finished second to Alex Gazan.

Heading back to the Games, she hopes for something lighter. A clean slate. A chance to simply compete.

“I definitely hope this year will be more normal, but I honestly think it might take a few years to do so with everything that happened and the possible sale of CrossFit,” she said. “There are just a lot of changes going on, so [I’m] not sure what it’s going to be like this year. I will make the most of it, though.”

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Claudia Gluck

Unlike others, Claudia Gluck kept her feelings to herself. She didn’t post about the tragedy online. For her, the silence felt more respectful.

When she returned home, she knew she wanted to get back to the Games. But first, she needed time away.

“I took a big break, took some holidays, spent a lot of time with my family and friends, and mostly did outdoor activities,” she said.

When Gluck returned to the gym, she didn’t dive right into CrossFit. Instead, she focused on foundational strength and ran often. She avoided traditional WODs for months.

She also made a conscious decision to sit out of the World Fitness Project in order to prioritize the 2025 season.

“It’s great to have many options to compete, but I believe you have to make choices and can’t do them all well,” she said.

Her strategy paid off. She placed second at the French Throwdown—just behind Elisa Fuliano, who wasn’t eligible for Games qualification due to missing the Open.

As Albany approaches, Gluck remains mindful of what happened last year. She doesn’t want to repeat that experience. No one does.

“No one wants to ever live an experience like last year’s Games again,” she said.

Her goal this time is simple.

“I want to do better than last year. Just give it my all, one workout at a time. I’m sure if I do that, I’ll be happy at the end of the weekend,” she said.

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The Big Picture

After enduring one of the darkest moments in CrossFit Games history, Ibarra, Kanyo, and Gluck—along with seven other returning rookies—are back. They arrive in Albany fitter, tougher, and more focused. This year, they aren’t just competing for placement. They’re chasing a version of the Games they never got to experience.

They’re chasing peace, closure—and maybe, finally, joy.

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Overview

Last year, tragedy struck the CrossFit Games when competitor Lazar Đukić drowned during the opening event. As a result, many athletes withdrew, but three rookies stayed and finished the competition. Now, those same three athletes are returning to Albany for the 2025 Games. They hope, above all, for a normal experience this time. Moreover, they want to move past the heartbreak and focus on their performance. Ultimately, their goal is to compete without the shadow of tragedy hanging over them.

Featured Image – Three CrossFit Athletes Look to Move Forward in Albany After Tragedy Overshadowed Their 2024 Rookie Campaigns – Credit: @hattiekanyo, @chrisibarra5, @Claudia__glk (Instagram)