James Sprague is the Fittest Man on Earth for the second time. He won the 2026 CrossFit Games in San Jose in July, two years after his first title, and became the only man in CrossFit Games history to win the title back after losing it. On 23 October he takes on two-time defending champion Jeffrey Adler at the Rogue Invitational in Aberdeen.
His story starts somewhere unexpected. “I was overweight, depressed, and didn’t feel a sense of purpose,” he has said of his early teens. Here’s how he got from there to two world titles.
- Country: USA
- Age: 22 when he first won the Games in 2024
- Family: son of three-time CrossFit Games athlete Patrick Sprague
- CrossFit Games titles: 2024, 2026
- Teen Games: 4th at 16, 5th at 17
- Next: Rogue Invitational, Aberdeen, 23 to 25 October 2026
Who is James Sprague?
Sprague struggled in middle school. He was overweight and depressed, and his parents’ separation made it harder, according to a BoxLife Magazine profile. His father, Patrick Sprague, a three-time CrossFit Games athlete, got him into swimming and CrossFit as an outlet.
“I was overweight, depressed, and didn’t feel a sense of purpose. I wanted to be good at something that made me feel part of something greater,” Sprague told BoxLife. He credits his Christian faith as much as the training: “Little did I know, CrossFit would eventually lead me to Christ.”
He went on to compete at the CrossFit Games as a teenager, finishing fourth at 16 and fifth at 17, before moving into the elite men’s division.
Two titles: 2024 and 2026
Sprague won his first Games in 2024 at 22. “To just be able to come out here and prove whatever hits me mentally, physically, I know that my spiritual strength is going to carry me through any challenge,” he said afterwards (Morning Chalk Up). He lost the title to Jayson Hopper in 2025.
In July 2026 he won it back. He led from the first day, won two events (Jump Pull Yoke and the Machine 7200m) and took four second places, finishing 27 points clear of Dallin Pepper (GOWOD). That made him the only man to reclaim the title after losing it, and put him level with Justin Medeiros on two titles (Fitness Volt).
| Place | Athlete | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Sprague | USA | 1,318 |
| 2 | Dallin Pepper | USA | 1,291 |
| 3 | Jay Crouch | Australia | 1,228 |
| 4 | Justin Medeiros | USA | 1,104 |
| 5 | Ricky Garard | Australia | 1,100 |
The Rogue Invitational: Sprague v Adler
Four of the Games top five are in Aberdeen; Justin Medeiros, fourth, isn’t on Rogue’s final list. The man Sprague has to beat is Canada’s Jeffrey Adler, who has won the last two Rogue Invitationals (2024 and 2025) but was only seventh at the Games. Australians Jay Crouch and Ricky Garard, third and fifth at the Games, are in the field too, along with 2025 Games champion Jayson Hopper. See the full Rogue Invitational 2026 guide.
What his story tells the rest of us
Sprague went from an overweight, unhappy teenager to the fittest man in the world in about a decade, and the habit that got him there was simple: find something in the gym you enjoy. “Have fun. Find something every day in the gym that makes you happy and helps you enjoy the process,” he told BoxLife.
- Start with the free 28-day military calisthenics plan.
- Learn the HYROX stations, the most accessible way into this kind of racing.
- Get your first pull-ups with our pull-up guide.
James Sprague FAQ
Who is the Fittest Man on Earth?
James Sprague, who won the 2026 CrossFit Games in July.
How many CrossFit Games has James Sprague won?
Two, in 2024 and 2026. He’s the only man to win the title back after losing it.
Who is James Sprague’s dad?
Patrick Sprague, a three-time CrossFit Games athlete who introduced him to CrossFit.
How old is James Sprague?
He was 22 when he won his first Games title in 2024.
Who won the CrossFit Games in 2025?
Jayson Hopper. Sprague won it back in 2026.
Is James Sprague competing at the Rogue Invitational?
Yes. He’s in the men’s field in Aberdeen, 23 to 25 October 2026.
