Event 5 at the 2025 CrossFit Games was time for a pure test of strength.
Individual Event 5 – 1RM Back Squat
Nice and simple, Event 5 was a 1-rep-max back squat. Let’s check out how the action went down in the event.
Bron lifts with great low bar technique. Luzes fails at 445. Fernandez hits 490. Fiebig goes for 530 but fails. Bron hits 500 to win heat one. Fernandez goes for 505 but fails. 485 for Leahy.
In heat two 535 is the starting lift for Mertens. Rozema opens with 500 lbs. Mathew hits 515. Clements goes low bar. Hatfield lifts 500. Mertens loads 555 and lifts with ease. Mathew goes 535. Hatfield fails 525.
570 is destroyed by Mertens. 555 for Mathew.
In the third heat Pepper opens with 470. Sprague starts with 440. 445 for Lightfoot. Khrennikov hits 475. Adler starts with 445. Hopper hits 485. Leader Crouch gets 445.
Pepper 495. Sprague 455. 465 looks easy for Lightfoot. Roman hits 485. 490 for Medeiros. 455 for Garard. Adler fails 475. Hopper goes for 500. Crouch 485.
Pepper fails 505. Lightfoot 485. Khrennikov fails 495. Justin 505. Adler gets 470. Hopper fails 505. Crouch goes for 495 but fails.
Mertens takes the overall win with his hugely impressive 570lb lift.
In the post event interview, he candidly explained, “Day 1 sucked. I’ve gotta get my ass to work and start climbing up that leaderboard.”
