Profile on Jamie Hagiya

Jamie Hagiya has been a formidable force at the CrossFit California Regionals since 2013, but it wasn’t until 2016 that she made her CrossFit Games debut.
After fifth place regional finishes in both 2013 and 2014, Jamie suffered an Achilles tear in June 2014 that almost ended her competitive career.
Determined to make it to the Games at least once in her career, she pressed on. She was rewarded with a Games-qualifying regional finish in 2016, going on to take 18th at the CrossFit Games.
A former professional basketball player in Greece and Spain, Hagiya owns Torrance Training Lab in California.

SRX: How did you get started in CrossFit?
JH: During the time I played professional basketball, right before I tried out for the WBNA, I held basketball clinics for boys and girls. One of the girl’s fathers owned a CrossFit box and suggested that I come try it. My first workout in 2012 was “Jackie”; a 1,000m row, 50 thrusters, and 30 pull-ups…and I almost died. But it was competitive and challenging and I kept coming back for more. It was everything I was missing competitive wise. I actually qualified for Regionals that year, but could not go due to a torn hamstring.

SRX: Were you fairly athletic in high school/college? Do you feel like that even remotely prepared you for CrossFit?
JH: I was always athletic, I played sports and was very active. I started playing basketball at four and played all the way through college at University of Southern California, and then overseas. The competitor is in me, and I think that helped prepare me for it as well. I always want to perform to the best of my abilities, but those movements were TOTALLY new to me!

SRX: The 2016 Games were your first taking making it to Games – how did that experience play out? Was it surreal?
JH: I’ll never forget the moment they announced my name at Regionals prior! I had tried for so long and wanted it so badly, so it was totally surreal going.

SRX: How badly do you want that CrossFit Games podium?
JH: I do want it, and I will continue to try my best. I have been pushing so hard so I was grateful for a break in 2017. I do want to make it back, but it was nice to take a little break and let myself enjoy life, eating what I want, take a vacation, and then tackle training more aggressively.

SRX: How do you feel about the progression of CrossFit? It’s grown so much in seemingly just the past two years alone.
JH: I think it’s great! I own a CrossFit box now, but I also don’t force it on people. I’m just so happy so many people are willing on their own to come in and check it out. I love that we can scale anything and make it possible for everyone to try it and hopefully love it as much as I do.

SRX: When the day does come, where will life take you once your competitive CrossFit career comes to a close?
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