'A win is a win' says athlete who didn't let a little diarrhea keep her from finishing in first place

By [email protected] Published Sep 14, 2026

Athletes are asked to push themselves during

HYROX events

. Sometimes they go beyond the expectations of the organization that puts these races together, races which combine both running and functional workout stations.

That was the case during a competition in Beijing this past weekend. The first place winner, Joanna Wietrzyk, bravely battled through

a little mid-race diarrhea

and refused to let it slow her down.

Joanna Wietrzyk of Australia competes during HYROX Beijing 2026 at National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, on Sept. 12, 2026.

(Getty Images)

The 24-year-old Australian reportedly finished the event in 1 hour, 1 minute and 23 seconds, according to the NY Post. The mess running down her legs and any possible contamination it may cause wasn’t a concern.