Australian Hyrox champion apologises after race incident in Beijing

Australian Hyrox competitor Joanna Wietrzyk posted an apology on Instagram after footage showed her finishing and winning a Beijing event while experiencing a personal accident on the course. She said she offered a sincere apology to the people of China, fellow competitors, spectators and Hyrox organizers.

Wietrzyk acknowledged that she should have left the track and that “there is more to life than racing.” She said she felt fit at the start of the race and had no reason to expect any illness, but later regretted continuing.

"I recognize that I should have made a different choice. I take responsibility for my decision to continue and am deeply sorry for the discomfort and disruption it caused," she wrote.

The athlete announced she will retroactively withdraw from the race and forfeit the points earned from the victory. She added that she will take time to recover and reflect, thanking those who offered support.

Hyrox, a high-intensity fitness competition that combines running with shared exercise stations, expanded to mainland China in late 2024 and has been growing globally.