Australian Hyrox champion apologizes again and prepares for Hamburg race

Australian Hyrox world champion Joanna Wietrzyk has apologized for a second time after continuing and winning a race in Beijing while suffering bowel incontinence. She shared an Instagram video from Hamburg, saying she had six to eight weeks to reflect and is truly sorry to everyone she affected, whether spectators or competitors.

Wietrzyk won the September 12 race in one hour, one minute and 23 seconds despite fecal matter running down her legs as she used shared equipment stations. The incident triggered criticism over hygiene, contamination and the slow response from judges who allowed her to continue.

She previously apologized on September 17 to the people of China, fellow competitors, spectators and Hyrox organizers, and renounced her victory. She also deleted a social media post showing her on a stretcher with the words “a victory is a victory.”

An event organizer told news.com.au that contaminated equipment was removed during the race. Critics questioned why judges let her remain on the course given the health risks to other participants.

Wietrzyk is now in Hamburg preparing for the elite 15 division, the highest level in Hyrox competition. She will return to the starting line on Friday, October 30, for the first date of the 2026-27 elite season.

She thanked supporters for their messages over the past weeks and said she is excited to return to the sport she loves. She acknowledged the situation was hard and confronting to navigate.