Jake Williamson, Fabian Eisenlauer. Photo: Instagram
Openly gay athlete Jake Williamson and his partner Fabi Eisenlauer just made history in the world of HYROX, a global fitness race testing endurance and functional strength.
The duo became the first Men’s Open Doubles team to complete a HYROX race in under 48 minutes, clocking an astonishing 47:57 in Berlin last weekend.
This isn’t Williamson’s first taste of breaking records; he also held an age-group world record as a solo HYROX competitor in 2023. Beyond his athletic prowess, Williamson is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sports.
Speaking with OutSports, Williamson shared that his drive to excel, especially with the upcoming HYROX World Championships in Chicago falling during Pride Month, is fueled by a past experience of being removed from a football team’s WhatsApp group after he came out.
“I’d like to think by having me on the Elite doubles start line in Chicago, and breaking a world record, I can play a small part in making people feel like it’s a space for them,” Williamson stated, praising HYROX as an inclusive environment.
He offers powerful advice to anyone considering coming out: “start talking to the people closest to you.” Williamson emphasized that “the hardest part for me was coming out to myself,” and credits being authentically himself with finding “real happiness” and “being comfortable in your own skin.”
