All eyes were on the mixed doubles category at HYROX Brisbane as two of the best in HYROX and two weapons from CrossFit went head-to-head in a highly anticipated showdown.
Tia-Clair Toomey is unquestionably the greatest female CrossFit athlete, with seven dominant wins at the CrossFit Games. Last fall, she stepped into the HYROX world, competing in her first doubles race and soon after launching a HYROX-focused training program. Her race partner, James Newbury, is another elite CrossFit athlete who has been competing in HYROX since its Australian debut in 2023. A champion in his own right, Newbury was part of a winning team at the 2024 CrossFit Games.
On the other side, Hunter McIntyre has been synonymous with HYROX since its arrival in the U.S. in 2019. Nearly unstoppable in his first two years, he has claimed three World Championships and remains a top contender for the 2025 World Championship title this June.
Meanwhile, Joanna Wietrzyk has taken the HYROX world by storm, despite competing in her first race just eight months ago. With blazing-fast times and a dominant victory at the Hong Kong Major, she has quickly forced her way into the conversation alongside Lauren Weeks and Meg Jacoby as one of the sport’s elite.
Hunter and Joanna won the event in 51:20. Tia and James came in 2nd at 54:11.
Running Segment Comparison
Hunter & Joanna were consistently faster in each run segment, gaining a total of 2 minutes and 25 seconds over Tia & James.
| Run Section | Hunter & Joanna | Tia & James | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run 1 | 2:02 | 2:02 | 0 sec |
| Run 2 | 3:31 | 3:53 | +22 sec |
| Run 3 | 3:36 | 3:58 | +22 sec |
| Run 4 | 3:36 | 4:00 | +24 sec |
| Run 5 | 3:41 | 4:00 | +19 sec |
| Run 6 | 3:44 | 3:58 | +14 sec |
| Run 7 | 3:39 | 4:00 | +21 sec |
| Run 8 | 3:41 | 4:05 | +24 sec |
| Total Run Time | 27:26 | 29:51 | +2:25 |
Workout Station Comparison
| Station | Hunter & Joanna | Tia & James | Difference |
| SkiErg (1000m) | 3:28 | 3:36 | +8 sec |
| Sled Push (50m) | 1:11 | 1:25 | +14 sec |
| Sled Pull (50m) | 2:01 | 2:17 | +16 sec |
| Burpee Broad Jump (80m) | 2:05 | 2:16 | +11 sec |
| Row (1000m) | 3:56 | 3:50 | -6 sec (Tia & James faster) |
| Farmers Carry (200m) | 1:10 | 1:29 | +19 sec |
| Sandbag Lunges (100m) | 2:39 | 2:19 | -20 sec (Tia & James faster) |
| Wall Balls | 3:27 | 3:04 | -23 sec (Tia & James faster) |
| Roxzone Time | 4:02 | 4:08 | +6 sec |
Key Takeaways
- Hunter & Joanna had the edge in running, sled work, and Farmers Carry, giving them an overall time advantage.
- Tia & James outperformed them in Wall Balls (-23 sec), Sandbag Lunges (-20 sec), and Row (-6 sec), making up time in key areas.
- The biggest time gap was in running (+2:25 in favor of Hunter & Joanna).
- The biggest station advantage for Tia & James came from Wall Balls (-23 sec).
While Hunter & Joanna dominated on the run and sled events, Tia & James showed strength in the later stages, particularly in Wall Balls and Sandbag Lunges. This breakdown highlights the contrasting strategies and strengths of both teams, showing where the key differences lay in their performances.
Let’s hope we can watch these teams battle again somewhere down the line.
You can watch a recap of the race over at Hybrid Sport Media Instagram.
To learn more about the rest of the HYROX Brisbane weekend, check out our recap.
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