Moritz F¼rste is a bonafide legend when it comes to the sport of hockey. A member of the famous German team that won the 2006 World Cup and followed it up with back-to-back Olympic golds in 2008 and 2012, Mortitz established himself as one of the best in the world during his time on the field.
He would bring that expertise to India as well during the inaugural season of the Hockey India League, when he captained the Ranchi Rhinos to the title in 2013, playing a key role in the triumph. Before the league went on a hiatus in 2018, Moritz would be a star again in HIL, this time with the Kalinga Lancers as they won the title in 2017. The German star scored a total of 12 goals, with 11 of them being penalty corners.
After his retirement, Moritz wouldn’t take a backseat and actually, decided to go one better. Along with Christian Toetzke, an international race organiser, in 2017 the German hockey legend decided to go out and invent a new sport called Hyrox. It is a series of fitness races that addresses the primal essence of an athlete. Designed to address all fitness and age levels and with different divisions — singles, doubles and relay — Hyrox has 84 events in 25 countries drawing 2,50,000 participants.
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The world series of indoor hybrid fitness racing would find a home in India as well with Hyrox being launched in October this year and the first race is all set to be scheduled for May 3, 2025, in Mumbai. The German legend is a participant himself in the sport that he has created.
Indiatoday.in had the chance to talk to Moritz about what his inspiration was behind creating Hyrox, how he would define the sport and the return of HIL amongst many topics.
Moritz F¼rste interaction
India Today: What was the inspiration behind Hyrox?
Moritz: Well, the inspiration came when my founding partner, Christian, and I looked at the fitness market worldwide. We realized that, while there are races like marathons for runners and competitions for football, cricket, hockey, and other sports, there wasn’t anything comparable for people who go to the gym and work on both endurance and strength. It seemed crazy to us, considering how huge the gym and fitness market is globally. So, we decided to create a new sport specifically for the millions of gym-goers. That was the real inspiration behind Hyrox.
India Today: Coming from a background as a hockey player and being regarded as one of the legends of German hockey, how has the journey been for you since retiring and starting something completely new?
Moritz: It was definitely challenging. As a hockey player, I had a very successful career where people would come to me for interviews and recognition. But after I retired and started Hyrox, everything flipped. Suddenly, I had to reach out to people to get interviews or to explain what we were creating. The first few years were tough, and I had to adjust a lot to this new life where I was no longer the one everyone sought out. But now, with High Rocks gaining global success, things are beginning to feel similar to when I was a hockey player, which is nice. Seeing something you’ve built yourself succeed on a global level is an incredible feeling.
India Today: How would you define Hyrox? What is the sport, according to you?
Moritz: First and foremost, High Rocks is a sport, not just a workout or a one-time event. People train specifically for it, participate, and call it their sport. It’s a mix of eight one-kilometer runs, each followed by a functional workout. It’s the same format everywhere—whether you compete in Mumbai in May next year or in Los Angeles this year. We have 82 events worldwide, all with the exact same format. That consistency is why we call it a sport, not a random race.
India Today: Hockey India League (HIL) is making a comeback, and you were part of the league from the beginning. You won the title with Ranchi Rhinos in the first season and again with Kalinga Lancers. What are your thoughts on HIL returning, especially as Kalinga Lancers are set to compete again?
Moritz: Well, I won the very first league and the last one, so technically, I’m still the reigning champion! It’s going to be difficult to defend my title, though, as I won’t be playing. But I’m watching its return with a smile. Playing in the Hockey India League was an amazing experience, not just for me personally, but for the sport as well. I believe Indian hockey has improved since HIL began, moving from outside the world’s top 10 nations to now being in the top five. That progress is largely due to HIL, so I’m happy for the current players who’ll get to experience what I did back then.
India Today: Would you ever consider returning to HIL as a coach? Is that a dream for you—to win the title as a coach as well?
Moritz: That’s not my goal at the moment, but I do have a big heart for Hockey India League. If a team wants to win the title and gives me a call, who knows?
