Para-athlete Edijs Sīmanis wins silver at Hyrox world championship
Ventspils resident Edijs Sīmanis took silver in his medical category at this year's Hyrox world championships. In an interview with LETA, he spoke about the popular fitness sport and his training routine.
Edijs Sīmanis, a 34-year-old para-athlete from Ventspils, won a silver medal in his medical category at this year's Hyrox world championships. Sīmanis, who lost a hand earlier in life, shared insights about the sport and his preparation in an interview with the LETA news agency.
Hyrox is a functional fitness format combining eight strength stations with eight one-kilometer runs between them, with total elapsed time determining the result. Sīmanis' goal is to complete the course in under one hour.
From triathlon to Hyrox
Sīmanis discovered Hyrox after years in triathlon, a sport in which he had started to feel burned out. A friend noticed his physical build and the endurance base he had built through triathlon, suggesting he try the new format. After a first attempt at a gym, he was hooked, and within about two months of training he competed in his first Hyrox event. He believes Hyrox is accessible to virtually anyone, regardless of fitness level, provided they prepare gradually.
Training, nutrition and recovery
During base preparation, Sīmanis runs around 100 kilometers per week, reducing volume and raising intensity as competitions approach. He stresses that running is often underestimated by Hyrox athletes who focus too heavily on the strength stations. Nutrition also plays a major role — sufficient protein and carbohydrate intake — along with close monitoring of recovery through heart rate and sleep tracking.
Support and outlook
Sīmanis' participation in international competitions is supported by the Latvian Paralympic Committee and the Ventspils municipality, which provides infrastructure and recovery facilities. He believes the biggest barrier for people with disabilities entering sport is often mindset rather than actual opportunity, encouraging others not to give up when facing hardship.
