Matthew Stone embraces global stage after gruelling Singapore Hyrox

Stone had already committed to testing himself in Asia when Cape Town announced their version, opting for a different challenge on the international stage.

Speaking to SABC Sport upon his return he described the race as one of the toughest of his career as it required both physical and mental resilience.

"Singapore was amazing –  culture shock – out of my comfort zone. It was hot and humid at the same time, which was very challenging because normally with my eating and how I hydrate those things play a factor depending on where I am," said Stone

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"And then in Singapore it's very different because it was just very hot and humid. So I didn't know what to eat and how to hydrate. Am I hydrating enough with my electrolytes? Am I overdoing it? But it was an experience. And actually getting to race with people I don't know, meeting new people and then in the tunnel actually getting to say to each other that, bro, today I'm racing and this is my target."

"And then linking up with the same people that have the same target which ends up putting us in that small group. And then we started racing together. So it was quite amazing having to meet four or five different people that I don't even know off the bat and getting to race them and building a friendship bigger than just the race, so it was quite amazing."

Stone clocked a time of 1h:14 minutes but reckons with better knowledge of what he was coming up against – there was room to improve. 

There was also a surprise waiting for Stone when he got to Singapore – the course was a little different to what he’s used to. 

Stone believes this most recent race took him out of his comfort zone, which every athlete needs as a reset.