CRASH Crucible 2026 gets underway this weekend with a strong field

This weekend marks the CRASH Crucible 2026, an annual CrossFit tournament that J.R. Howell founded seven years ago at his gym CrossFit CRASH in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

On the men's side, all eyes are on Colten Mertens, who is chasing his third consecutive title. The two-time champion defends his crown in a field that will put him to the test this edition.

On the women's side, the last-minute entry of Lydia Fish is the big news. She is immediately considered one of the top favorites, but will face stiff competition from other athletes who have a longer history with this tournament.

Over the years, the CRASH Crucible has grown into one of the most respected invitational competitions in the CrossFit world. Fans who want to follow the event are advised to keep an eye on CrossFit CRASH's channels for livestream information.