GRACIE WALTON

Written by: Locke Fitzpatrick

Gracie Walton didn’t set out to become one of Australia’s top CrossFit athletes. She just found something she loved - and kept seeing how far she could take it. Before CrossFit, Gracie was already a competitive athlete. She grew up playing a mix of sports, including netball, gymnastics, athletics and swimming, and had always loved the feeling of training towards something. Then, in 2020, a friend convinced her to try a CrossFit class. It didn’t take long for things to get serious.

Gracie quickly found herself hooked on the combination of strength, gymnastics, endurance and competition. What began as a new way to train turned into a goal of competing at the CrossFit Games - and she wasted no time chasing it. Just four years after starting CrossFit, Gracie qualified for her first CrossFit Games in 2024. She went on to finish 14th in the world in her rookie appearance, including a first-place finish in one of the events. Since then, she’s continued to establish herself at the highest level of the sport, returning to the Games in 2025 and continuing to compete internationally. But what makes Gracie’s journey stand out isn’t just how quickly she has progressed. It’s the way she approaches the work behind it.

CrossFit is now a full-time commitment. Her days are built around training, recovery, nutrition and preparing for the next challenge. And with a sport as broad as CrossFit, there’s always another area demanding attention. For Gracie, that might mean working on a movement that doesn’t come naturally, building strength in an area where she knows she can improve or pushing herself through another hard conditioning session. She’s also learned that progress doesn’t always mean going harder. After years of training and competing, understanding her body and knowing when to push and when to pull back has become just as important as the workouts themselves.

Away from competition, Gracie brings the same energy to everything she does. She’s competitive, curious and always looking for the next challenge, but there’s also a genuine enjoyment behind what she does. Because ultimately, that’s where it started. She found a sport she loved, gave herself a big goal and decided to see what she was capable of.

For Gracie, being 1% better every day isn’t about being perfect. It’s about finding something to work on, putting in the effort and seeing where it takes you.

And if the last few years are anything to go by, there’s no telling how far she can go.