Joanna Wietrzyk Apologises Again Ahead of HYROX Hamburg Elite 15 Return
Joanna Wietrzyk said sorry again in a new video and is set to race the HYROX Hamburg Elite 15 on Oct 30, her first elite race since Beijing.
Key takeaways
- In an Instagram video shared on October 28, Joanna Wietrzyk said she was 'truly, truly so sorry' to everyone affected by the HYROX Beijing incident.
- She said she will race the Elite 15 in Hamburg. The women's race is scheduled for Friday, Oct 30, at 18:30 local time (10:30 a.m. Pacific).
- She topped the women's Elite 15 rankings on October 5 with 547 points and won Hamburg in 2025, per Hybrid Fitness Media.
- Reports still differ on whether HYROX changed her Beijing result after she said she would withdraw.
Joanna Wietrzyk is back on the start line, and she spoke first.
Joanna Wietrzyk’s new apology
In an Instagram video shared on Wednesday, October 28, the Australian pro apologised again for racing on through a bowel accident at HYROX Beijing on September 12, LADbible reported.
“I just want to say that I’m truly, truly so sorry to everyone that I affected,” she said. “It’s been a very hard situation to navigate for me and very confronting as well.”
She said she had reflected on what happened and thanked people for their support. Then she confirmed what the start lists already suggested: “I’m racing a couple days time in the Elite 15.”
Her Hamburg Elite 15 race
Wietrzyk is set to race the women’s Elite 15 in Hamburg on Friday, October 30, the first race of the 2026/27 Elite Series.
| Hamburg | Pacific (Vegas) | Eastern | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite 15 Women, Fri Oct 30 | 18:30 | 10:30 a.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
The races stream free on HYROX’s official YouTube channel, per Rox Lyfe. Our how to watch HYROX Hamburg guide has every start time and stream.
She’s no outsider. On October 5, Hybrid Fitness Media had her first in the women’s Elite 15 rankings with 547 points, and she won Hamburg in 2025, ahead of Vivian Tafuto and Lauren Weeks. Those rankings were published before final roll-downs, and we don’t know whether they include any Beijing points.
Who she’s up against
Rox Lyfe names reigning world champion Alyssa McElheny (USA) and Lauren Weeks (USA) in the field. The top of the women’s rankings on October 5:
| # | Athlete | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanna Wietrzyk (AUS) | 547 |
| 2 | Lauren Weeks (USA) | 540 |
| 3 | Alyssa McElheny (USA) | 537 |
| 4 | Calypso Sheridan (AUS) | 532 |
| 5 | Gabrielle Nikora-Baker (NZL) | 526 |
The top three qualify for the 2027 World Championships in Hong Kong. See how the season works in our Elite Series explainer.
Where Beijing stands
In September, Wietrzyk said she would retroactively withdraw from Beijing and give up her points. ABC News reported the win as withdrawn. BoxLife reported days later that HYROX hadn’t confirmed a change to the official result. LADbible’s latest report doesn’t mention one either, and we haven’t found an official statement.
What did change is the rulebook. A race director can now withdraw any racer whose blood, vomit, urine or faeces create a welfare or contamination risk. Our Beijing incident story explains the rule.
What it means for you
- Watch it live. Friday’s women’s race has the top three from the October rankings. It starts at 10:30 a.m. in Las Vegas.
- Know the rule. If you’re sick on course, a race director can now end your race. Read the 2026/27 rule changes before you race.
- The road leads to Vegas. The Elite Series comes to the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 12–13, 2027.
We’ll cover the Hamburg results after the race.
Update, October 31, 2026: Wietrzyk won in 56:10, 14 seconds ahead of Lauren Weeks. See the full Hamburg results.
Gear for this
All gearVelocity Nitro 4 running shoe
A cushioned daily trainer around $140 that covers your training miles and a first race.
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Quick answers
Is Joanna Wietrzyk racing HYROX Hamburg?
Yes. She said in an Instagram video shared on October 28 that she is racing the Elite 15 in a couple of days, and Rox Lyfe lists her in the women's field.
What did Joanna Wietrzyk say?
"I'm truly, truly so sorry to everyone that I affected," she said, calling the situation "very hard" to navigate and "very confronting," per LADbible.
What time is the women's Elite 15 race in Hamburg?
Friday, Oct 30, at 18:30 Hamburg time, which is 10:30 a.m. Pacific and 1:30 p.m. Eastern. Schedules can change.
Did Joanna Wietrzyk lose her HYROX Beijing win?
She said in September that she would retroactively withdraw and give up her points. ABC News reported the win as withdrawn, while BoxLife reported HYROX had not confirmed a change to the official result.
Sources
- LADbible: HYROX athlete speaks out on 'very confronting' backlash (Oct 29, 2026)
- Rox Lyfe: HYROX Hamburg 2026 schedule, Elite 15 preview and how to watch (updated Oct 20, 2026)
- Hybrid Fitness Media: HYROX Hamburg 2026 Elite Series first look (Oct 5, 2026)
- ABC News (Australia): Wietrzyk apologises and withdraws (Sep 18, 2026)
- BoxLife Magazine: Wietrzyk withdrew but officials have not changed the result (Sep 21, 2026)
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