# Joanna Wietrzyk forfeits Hyrox win after China race backlash

> Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk forfeits Beijing Hyrox victory after bowel incontinence incident
- Title: Joanna Wietrzyk forfeits Hyrox win after China race backlash
- Summary: Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk forfeits Beijing Hyrox victory after bowel incontinence incident Wietrzyk withdrew from race following apology for…
- Keywords: joanna wietrzyk, hyrox, beijing, gastrointestinal distress, bowel incontinence, puma, nfl, sport, race, forfeit, controversy, sponsors
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/joanna-wietrzyk-forfeits-hyrox-victory-after-backlash-china-race-bowel-incontinence-12454963
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: joanna wietrzyk, hyrox, beijing, gastrointestinal distress, bowel incontinence, puma, nfl, sport, race, forfeit, controversy, sponsors
## Wietrzyk apologizes
Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk apologized for bowel incontinence during a Hyrox race in China.

> I want to offer my sincere apology to the people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators and the HYROX organizers for what happened during the race in Beijing
## Race incident details
Wietrzyk experienced severe gastrointestinal distress during the Hyrox Beijing race on September 12, 2026.
## Initial response
Wietrzyk initially defended her decision to continue racing despite bowel incontinence.

> Go hard or go home ... a win is a win
## Coaches defend
Wietrzyk's coach Chris Bayens called the incident unforeseen and criticized online abuse against her.

> What happened was an extraordinary set of circumstances that were unforeseen, rapidly evolving and almost impossible to fully comprehend in real time
## Hyrox rules change
Hyrox updated rules to allow race directors to remove athletes with health risks like bowel incontinence.

> Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race
## Puma removes line
PUMA removed the Joanna Wietrzyk x PUMA product line from its online store after the controversy.
## Key takeaway

Wietrzyk withdrew from race following apology for continuing after severe gastrointestinal distress