Who is Joanna Wietrzyk? Australian HYROX athlete and fitness coach at centre of Beijing controversy

Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has become the focus of attention after a controversial finish at the HYROX Beijing fitness race on September 12, 2026. Wietrzyk, who competed in the Women’s Pro division, reportedly suffered bowel incontinence during the race but continued through the course and finished in 1:01:23. The incident drew strong reactions because HYROX uses shared running lanes and workout equipment, including rowing machines, sleds and mats. HYROX China said the affected area was isolated and disinfected, while equipment was removed and replaced. The organizer did not publicly name the athlete in its statement.Who is Joanna Wietrzyk? Australian HYROX athlete and fitness coachJoanna Wietrzyk is an Australian elite fitness racing athlete, strength and conditioning coach and competitor in the international HYROX and functional fitness scene. She has a background in CrossFit, functional bodybuilding and competitive athletics before moving into hybrid endurance racing.Wietrzyk competes in the Women’s Pro division, the higher-level category of HYROX competition. Her races combine running with workout stations, and she has built a reputation for strong performances across the sled and ergometer sections. In 2026, she competed at major events including Phoenix, Warsaw and the World Championships. She won the Warsaw Major and set the Women’s Solo Pro world record with 54:25.Away from competition, Wietrzyk works as an online performance coach and personal trainer. Her work includes race preparation, hybrid endurance and strength training.What happened to Joanna Wietrzyk at HYROX Beijing?The controversy began after photos and videos from the September 12 HYROX Beijing event spread on social media. They appeared to show Wietrzyk continuing to race after suffering bowel incontinence. She carried on with movements including burpees, and reports said the incident affected parts of the course and equipment used by athletes behind her.That led to two different reactions. Some people praised Wietrzyk for finishing despite an extremely difficult moment. Others questioned why the race continued while shared areas and equipment could have been affected. The debate also raised questions about how HYROX should handle a hygiene or safety problem during a live race.HYROX China responded on September 12, saying the affected area and lanes were sealed off and isolated as soon as possible. The organizer said it carried out full disinfection through the end of the day’s events and removed and replaced the relevant equipment. It also said the entire carpet would be replaced after the competition, followed by deep cleaning and disinfection.Reports identifying the athlete as Wietrzyk also said she won the Women’s Pro race in 1:01:23. HYROX’s official event page confirms that the Women’s Pro race took place on September 12, but its public event information does not identify Wietrzyk in connection with the incident.After the race, Wietrzyk reportedly shared a hospital-bed selfie with the message, “A win is a win.” The post added another layer to the online debate, with some readers seeing it as determination and others questioning the decision to continue racing.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.