Australian Hyrox athlete apologises for continuing Beijing race after soiling herself

Joanna Wietrzyk said she decided to "retroactively withdraw from the race" and forfeit the points she earned.

Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk in London. The athlete apologised on Sep 17, 2026, after continuing to compete in a Hyrox event in Beijing despite soiling herself. (File photo: Facebook/Joannawietrzyk)

SINGAPORE: An athlete who continued competing after soiling herself during a Hyrox event in Beijing apologised on Thursday (Sep 17) and retroactively forfeited the points from her win.

Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk sparked an outcry on social media after she continued to use the mats and equipment at the competition on Saturday despite soiling herself.

She completed the event without the organising committee intervening and won the race.

In an Instagram post, Wietrzyk said she felt "completely fit and healthy" at the start of the race and had no reason to expect any illness.