Emma Lawson to Sit Out 2025 CrossFit Open Due to Injury
One Big Thing: Lawson’s announcement comes as several other individual elite athletes have chosen not to participate in the Open, citing the aftermath of Lazar Đukić’s death as the reason for their decision. However, Lawson’s reasoning differs, as she is dealing with a nagging injury that is preventing her from signing up and potentially putting her entire season at risk.
The Details: In an Instagram story post, Lawson wrote that she has been dealing with an injury that is preventing her from signing up for the Open and potentially putting her entire season at risk if she did compete. "I know the right decision for me is to take the time my body needs to heal," Lawson said.
Background: This would have been her seventh Open. Lawson competed in her first official Open in 2021 when she was just 16. She came in 15th place worldwide and went on to win the Teens (16-17) division that year at the 2021 Games.
A Star on the Rise: At just 20 years old, Lawson has already gone to the Games four times, with her best finish being second place in 2023. Last year, she placed 16th.
The World Fitness Project: The brainchild of veteran Games athlete Will Moorad, along with Isabella and Jackson Terry, the WFP has signed many well-known elite CrossFit athletes, including Lawson. "For now, I’ll be focused on getting my back healthy and preparing for the upcoming WFP season and a few other exciting events ahead," Lawson wrote in her post.
The Bottom Line: Lawson’s announcement is an example of the hard decisions many elite athletes will be faced with this season. It’s one of the more complex seasons in history due to the Games and WFP schedules running simultaneously, and it raises a question of how much athletes are willing and able to compete.
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Conclusion: The 2025 season is shaping up to be unlike years past and potentially usher in a new era of the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why is Emma Lawson sitting out the 2025 CrossFit Open?
- Lawson is dealing with a nagging injury that is preventing her from signing up for the Open and potentially putting her entire season at risk.
- What is the World Fitness Project?
- The World Fitness Project is a new competition that has signed many well-known elite CrossFit athletes, including Lawson.
- What is the schedule like for the 2025 season?
- The Open starts next week, while the first WFP competition, Tour Event I, starts on May 9. The following WFP Tour Event is just a little over three weeks after the 2025 Games.
