13/09/2026
The plan was simple.
Fly to Beijing. Get a World Championship qualification as early as possible. Then spend the next 8 months building towards it.
The plan didn’t work.
But what a trip.
My first time in China & I absolutely loved it — the country, the people, the experience & some unreal autumn weather.
Anyway… back to the race.
I finished 2nd with a PB, 48 hours after racing Mixed Doubles.
On paper, a great result. It also confirmed a lot about the direction of my training & the programming we’re doing with our crew back home.
But one thing was niggling away at me…
I finished 2 seconds behind 1st place.
Two. Fu***ng. Seconds.
For the next few hours the “what ifs” rolled in.
If only I’d run closer to the fence.
If only I didn’t stop for that drink.
If only I’d picked up that wall ball sooner…
This one hurt.
I wasn’t sure whether to cry or laugh, so I did both.
Had a little sook. Questioned my “why”. Then remembered — this is sport.
When you play to win, you have to expect to lose.
If you never lose, you’re probably in the wrong competition & need to upgrade — or you’re a freak of nature who’s too good for everyone else.
I’m no freak of nature when it comes to endurance sport.
But when it comes to persistence, I reckon I’m pretty close. Some might call it stubbornness.
This one hit me square in the nuts, followed by a left uppercut to the chin.
That tiny margin was painful.
Was.
Because that pain has already turned into fuel.
I’ll use this PB as the launching pad for the next one. The result wasn’t what I flew to Beijing for, but I’m heading in the right direction.
Next stop: Melbourne.
Pro Doubles & another crack at qualifying for the 2027 World Championships in Hong Kong.
As for Beijing 2026 — what an event, what a venue & what a setup.
Put this one on your HYROX-vacation list for 2027.
Now it’s back to work.
PUMA HYROX CHINA
