16/06/2026
# A Personal Message from the Founder
12 years is a very long time.
In the autumn of 2014, I dreamed of creating a competition for Masters athletes. I still vividly remember that first outdoor event in PĂ©cs. Many of you reading this were there, and many of you are people I first met through EMT.
Over the years, friendships have been formed, business relationships have started, and countless memories have been created. EMT has always been more than just a competition. For many of you, the community experience has become just as important as the workouts themselves, and it is one of the reasons why you keep returning to Budapest year after year.
Twelve years is a long time, and EMT has changed a lot during that journey. We have moved between venues, tried new formats, and always aimed to provide the best possible competition experience.
I have changed too. 12 years ago, there were hardly any grey hairs in my beard or hair. đ
One thing, however, has never changed. From the very first day, I have put my heart and soul into this competition. As most of you know, EMT has always been much more to me than a job or an event. It has been a passion and a huge part of my life.
At the same time, it is impossible not to notice that our sport has also changed.
Whether it is due to the direction of CrossFit as a company, the tragic loss of Lazar ÄukiÄ, the rise of other functional fitness sports, or a combination of all these factors, participation numbers across the sport have changed significantly in recent years.
Unfortunately, this is something we also see in EMT. Participation has gradually decreased year after year, especially in the younger Masters divisions. Maintaining the quality and experience that EMT deserves is becoming increasingly difficult under these circumstances.
After a great deal of thought, we have made a difficult decision.
The 2026 Final will be the last European Masters Throwdown in its current form as a CrossFit Masters competition.
If you have ever wanted to test yourself at what is arguably Europe's largest and most established Masters competition, this will be your final opportunity to do so.
I truly hope you will join us in Budapest this September and help us celebrate everything EMT has been over the last decade.
But this is not the end.
I believe change can be positive, and I fully expect that we will meet again next yearâjust in a different format.
As a small preview of the future, one of the workouts at this year's Final will feature a HYROX-style endurance and fitness challenge. We hope you will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Looking ahead to 2027, we plan to welcome this incredible community back through a new hybrid fitness competition format inspired by HYROX simulation racing.
But before we think about the future, let's enjoy one final, challenging, unforgettable EMT CrossFit competition together.
As the saying goes:
"Don't cry because it's over.
Smile because it happened."
Thank you for being part of this journey.
MĂ©zes Gergely
Founder & CEO
European Masters Throwdown
