Tributes for fitness influencer following tragic Ironman triathlon
A fitness influencer posted a photo of herself training just days before losing her life during the Ironman she was working towards.
Mara Flávia Araújo, 38, was among some 3,000 competitors for the IRONMAN Texas North America Championship, which took place over the weekend.
Ironman is a global phenomenon dubbed one of the most difficult endurance sports worldwide.
Mara Flavia Araujo. Pic: Instagram
Athletes are tasked with completing a 3.9km swim, followed by a cycle of 180.2km, and finishing with a 42.2km run.
Devastatingly, competitor and influencer Araújo died during the swim portion of the competition at The Woodlands in Texas.
An investigation has been opened by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, who have ordered an autopsy to be conducted by the County Medical Examiner.
Mara Flavia Araujo. Pic: Instagram
A statement from the force confirmed they had completed a rescue mission in Lake Woodlands near North Shore Park during the triathlon.
Ironman Texas also issued a statement online, writing: ‘We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time.
‘Our gratitude goes out to the first responders for their assistance.’
Mara Flavia Araujo. Pic: Instagram
Araújo was a well-known content creator, boasting more than 60,000 Instagram followers.
The triathlete had been keeping her followers up to date on her training ahead of the Ironman, sharing a picture of herself poolside just days before her tragic death.
‘Just another day of work!’ she captioned the snap, with followers now taking to the comments and sharing messages of tribute.
Mara Flavia Araujo. Pic: Instagram
‘So so sad… rest in peace,’ one wrote, with another adding: ‘Friend, I will miss you a lot, our chats and laughs, you are light and will always be, rest in peace.’
Araújo’s partner Ferrairi Rodrigo took to social media, sharing a number of photos of the couple together.
Among the photos was a snap of the couple during a run, and another alongside their dog.
Mara Flavia Araujo. Pic: Instagram
‘I know that today is the third day without you, but only now I have gathered some strength inside to write to you, to pay you some homage the size you deserve,’ the grieving Rodrigo wrote.
Rodrigo admitted he never thought he could feel so much pain and sadness, with the closest thing to the death of his father when he was 11 years old.
‘It’s different, and it hurts more, a lot more,’ he wrote, ‘Waking up without you next to me is really, really hard.’
‘Your light has shone on me and everyone around you and it will keep shining from above.
‘I hope one day everyone can feel love like we did. It’s something so strong, I can’t explain, but it will keep beating inside me forever.’
He added that his love for Araújo ‘will be eternal.’
