Kelly wins at home: 55:25 in Brisbane
The HYROX APAC Championships 2026 produced its verdict this weekend in Brisbane. Australian James Kelly dominated the Elite 15 men's race, finishing in 55:25. The win carries extra meaning: Kelly grew up in Brisbane and now lives about an hour north on the Sunshine Coast.
Dexter Buchanan led through the early stations but couldn't hold off Kelly as the race developed. He took second in 57:12, ahead of Jonathon Wynn (57:33) and Greg Lewis (57:51). A tight podium with less than two minutes separating second and fourth.
The qualification twist: Kelly was already in from Phoenix
Kelly had already secured his World Championship spot at Phoenix. His APAC victory triggered a roll-down: the qualifying spot passed to second-place Buchanan. Buchanan is heading to Worlds — a solid outcome for him, even if the mechanics feel a little strange for everyone watching.
It's one of HYROX's quirks: qualifying spots don't stack. Win two races, and only one spot is counted — the second cascades down to the next eligible athlete.
Women's race: Calypso Sheridan wins Elite 15
In the women's category, Calypso Sheridan claimed the Elite 15 title. Her win adds to the growing depth of the Australian and New Zealand HYROX scene, which has become one of the most active on the global circuit.
What these results mean for the season
It's April 2026 and the 2025-26 season is entering its final stretch. The April regional championships (APAC, EMEA) are finalizing the World Championship field. The depth on display in Brisbane — with men's times competitive with many European results — confirms that the Pacific region has become a genuine force on the HYROX circuit.
If you're targeting the World Championships in coming years, the APAC scene is now a serious benchmark for understanding where the global level sits.
Sources: Hybrid Fitness Media, BOXROX