HYROX competitor was disqualified over a separate toilet incident last month

It's all popping off in the HYROX universe right now, as an incensed participant was removed from the course last month over his toilet usage.

Competing in the Men's Open category on 13 August, Malaysian native Zarif Zakaria was a victim of 'nature calling' right before the event started. Nerves, adrenaline, whatever you want to call it, it happens to the best of us.

But after finishing the endurance race with a time of 1:27:48 in Bangkok, Zakaria was slapped with disqualification.

In light of this week's Joanna Wietrzyk controversy, he announced via Threads today: "I got DQ'd just for going to the toilet before the race. How come people can race while having [diarrhoea] and not get DQ'd? Maybe it's time for me to retire from HYROX."

Zarif Zakaria was disqualified from a HYROX event over a toilet incident last month (HYROX Bangkok)

However, the credibility of his story was questioned by fellow user @jeannelifting, who directly mentioned how some participants she knew at HYROX Jakarta also visited the bog before start time but weren't reprimanded.

"Maybe it was something else you did?" she wrote, to which Zakaria replied: "Late start. Going to toilet before the race the point is why late start got DQ & why can athletes continue racing even when they have [diarrhoea] during the race?"

As a business, HYROX is in contentious territory after allowing Australian record-holder Wietrzyk to complete her course last weekend despite soiling herself midway through.

In Beijing, the 24-year-old was pictured and videoed by observers with faecal stains decorating both legs. She simply carried on, unbothered, and even won her event.

Joanna Wietrzyk kept going at HYROX Beijing despite a gross twist (Fred Lee/Getty Images)

When the complaints eventually arrived at his door, HYROX co-founder Moritz Fuerste made a public statement.

"I need to address all of you directly concerning the recent events in China," it began.

"I apologise to all that were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation like we should have. HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end it is my job to foresee the potential incidents - and I did not.

"Of course, we started improving event processes, plus making rulebook changes immediately. As of this moment, there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again. We learn and try to get better everyday."

This came after HYROX China submitted a rule change request pertaining to hygiene standards at the events, among other things.