Lydia Fish receives Pro Division backfill spot, Blair Chaney sent Challenger Division invitation
World Fitness Project Tour Stop 1 – Indianapolis champion Alex Gazan has informed the WFP competition staff that she will not be able to compete at the WFP’s second event, Tour Stop 2 – Mesa, due to the injuries she suffered in June.
“I was hoping I would be ready to take the floor at Tour Stop 2 in Mesa,” said Gazan. “Unfortunately recovery took longer than expected following my car accident. I’m back in the gym and back in the groove but not where I need to be to take the floor and compete against the best in the world. I’m putting my head down and getting to work to be back if not better than before for Tour Stop 3. Thank you for all the support! I’m so excited to get back out there!”
“We were hoping that Alex would be ready to go for Mesa,” commented Will Moorad, WFP Director of Sport. “It’s unfortunate that she can’t defend her title from Indianapolis but it’s more important that she listens to the advice of her doctors, her coach, her team and most importantly her body. She has a long and successful career ahead of her and we hope to see her back on the competition floor in December in Copenhagen.”
In response to Gazan’s withdrawal from Tour Event 2, the WFP will backfill her spot with Lydia Fish, who finished 12thin the WFP Mesa Online Challenger Qualifier. Fish, ranks 24th in the WFP rankings with the 300 points she earned competing as a Pro Division challenger in Indianapolis.
“We saw the backfill system work as intended in Indianapolis where both Oda Lundekvam and Sydney Michalyshen were ready to compete with the best women in the world,” said Moorad. “Now Lydia gets another crack at the field of top women and get one step closer to earning her pro card for the 2026 season.”
The women’s Challenger Division in Mesa will now include 17 of the 20 inaugural Pro Division signed athletes. Gazan joins Emma McQuaid as an injury withdrawal and Bethany Flores who will not compete the rest of the season due to her announced pregnancy.
Blair Chaney has been offered the backfill for Fish’s Challenger spot in Mesa. Chaney, a 19-year-old from Tulsa, OK, placed 37th in the WFP Mesa Online Challenger Qualifier.
“Not only is Alex an incredible athlete, but she’s also a great friend, and we’ll truly miss having her out on the floor in Mesa,” said Jackson Terry, WFP Director of Operations. “More than anything, we’re just grateful she’s okay and on the road to recovery. The best part is she’ll still be with us that week joining community events and activations, so we hope everyone takes the chance to connect with her during the competition.”
