The highlights, champions and the shoes that stood on the podium

Every year, the CrossFit Games push the boundaries of what's possible. In 2026, those boundaries moved once again.

Held in San Jose, California, the 20th anniversary edition of the CrossFit Games delivered 20 events over five days of unforgettable competition. From endurance tests and heavy barbells to high-skill gymnastics, gruelling machine workouts and two brand new movements including a Roll to Support on the high rings (that definitely threw some people off), athletes were challenged across every domain of fitness. If there was one takeaway from this year's Games, it's that being "well-rounded" is no longer enough. The sport continues to evolve, and so do the athletes.

The Games have always influenced what other athletes train in, and 2026 was no different. With Aimee Cringle lifting the trophy in R.A.Ds, the brand continues to cement its reputation as one of the premier footwear choices for CrossFit athletes. Its growing roster of elite competitors and uncompromising focus on functional fitness has made R.A.D one of the most talked-about names in training shoes. And of course, they look cool too. 

At the same time, James Sprague's victory in Adidas highlighted just how competitive the brand has become within CrossFit, proving its training footwear can handle everything from max lifts and sprint workouts to high-volume gymnastics and endurance tests. Ella Wilkinson, another Adidas athlete placed 22nd in her rookie year, and we can’t wait to see what the next year holds for her.  

The podiums were stacked: next to Cringle, Emma Lawson and Lucy Campbell came in 2nd and 3rd respectively, and Dalin Pepper and Jay Crouch stood alongside Sprague on the mens podium. 

I got the chance to have a quick word with Lucy’s sister Aimee Campbell who was supporting at the Games, and here’s what she said about the atmosphere:

“The Games is such a unique experience and the atmosphere is second to none. The set up is both so huge (production) and so small & personal (the athletes are all just wandering around the city as real people). It's so incredible to see the people you follow from a distance up close and doing their thing in real time. Even better when the workouts are something you can try yourself back in the gym to become really humbled. The races, the personal wins and being part of a crowd supporting them is amazing. For me personally, having someone so close to you you're supporting brings a completely different level to the comp - knowing how they're feeling, what placings will mean for them but also having so many people in the community come up to you and say how inspiring they are is amazing. Beyond proud “ 

If you're inspired by these athletes’ performances, you don't have to look far to train in the same brands trusted on the Games floor. At WIT, we're proud to stock both R.A.D and Adidas, amongst other trainers you’ll have seen on the Games floor, giving everyone access to the same brands trusted by the fittest competitors in the world.

Congratulations to James Sprague, Aimee Cringle and every athlete who stepped onto the competition floor. They reminded us why we train: to test our limits, embrace the unknown and continually strive to become better than yesterday. And to do it all in a cool pair of shoes, too.