Lowveld athlete Stephan Hartman qualifies for professional Hyrox stage
A career-ending rugby injury opened the door to a new sporting passion for this local competitor.
Stephan Hartman is the only Lowvelder to qualify for the 2026 Hyrox Pro Singles race in Cape Town, taking place from August 14 to 16.
Rugby injury sparks new passion
His Hyrox career began in 2025 when he decided to enter the competition out of curiosity. As a former professional rugby player, Hartman already had a love for sport and saw Hyrox as another challenge to tackle.
He is currently training at Core360 under the guidance of its owner, Chaz Taylor, who has helped prepare him for one of the biggest Hyrox stages in the world.
“During my first event, the Hyrox bug completely bit me. However, I still had one foot in rugby, but after a career-ending injury, I decided to focus fully on Hyrox,” he said.
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Hartman secures spot in Pro category
At his second competition in May, he placed sixth in his age group and 12th overall in the men’s open category, which consisted of 780 participants. His performance made him eligible to compete in the Pro category.
Besides developing a passion for the sport, Hartman enjoys preparing for events.
“I see it as a time to reflect on my life, think about what lies ahead, and most importantly, talk to God, because without Him, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Hartman said.
He feels that Hyrox has brought about a lot of positive change in his life. Within the sport, he found a community that encourages him to grow, nurture a positive mentality and learn more about life and the sport.
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