Originally published at: Faces of Kona: Meet the Inspiring Age Groupers Competing This Weekend - Slowtwitch News
The Athlete Ambassadors leading up to the 2025 IRONMAN Women’s World Championship on October 6, 2025 at the Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Photo: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN
Every year, there are countless inspirational stories told at the IRONMAN World Championship, and 2025 is no different. IRONMAN has shared a number of these stories in a press release, which we’ll share below. From the oldest athlete competing in Kona to women who overcame health struggles and more, this is an extremely inspiring list of women. Be sure to follow along on Slowtwitch.com for more Kona coverage.
Oldest in Kona
- Name: Natalie Grabow
- Age: 80
- Location: New Jersey, USA
- Topline Story: Natalie is set to be the oldest competitor at 80-years young while also looking to become the oldest female finisher ever at the IRONMAN World Champion and the first to represent the F80-84 division.
Couch to Kona
- Name: Grace Gerwe
- Age: 23
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Topline Story: The chance to go to the IRONMAN World Championship is incredibly special to Grace. She got into triathlon because she has a congenital heart defect and grew up believing she had zero endurance ability. She was so embarrassed, always, because she’d have to get excused from running the mile in school. Doctors told Grace, she wouldn’t be able to run. Grace did her first sprint triathlon in September 2023 and never expected in a million years to be in a place to qualify for the prestigious IRONMAN World Championship. However, she began to work her way up from Sprint distance to Olympic distance and to an IRONMAN 70.3. Then she was ready for a full-distance IRONMAN. Grace qualified for IRONMAN World Championship in her first IRONMAN at Texas in 2024. She learned shortly after that race that she had a hip stress fracture and was able to defer her race. Since then, she has had an event year preparing for triathlon’s pinnacle race. She had gone from zero endurance ability to qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship in eight months, and completely fell in love with the sport in the process. She feels it saved her life by helping her overcome years of eating disorders and growing a belief that she could do anything she put the work in for.
Overcoming POTS
- Name: Elise Greenwald
- Age: 23
- Location: Eldersburg, USA
- Topline Story: Elise has a condition known as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Whenever she stands up, there is a possibly she will black out or faint due to blood vessels not constricting, in turn releasing a hormone which spikes her heart rate – causing dizziness with no blood heading toward her brain. Only about 30 percent of people with POTS pass out when this happens; other times, they’ll experience symptoms similar to epilepsy such as seizures, brain fog, fatigue and headaches. Elise has been experiencing symptoms since she was 16, but was formally diagnosed in 2023. Elise runs track at the College of Wooster in Ohio, though her POTS significantly affects her ability to do this freely, leaving her feeling exhausted. As well as the physical toll, the frustration of a body that often lets her down is mentally draining. Despite her condition, Elise has resolved to accomplish her dreams – deciding to commit herself to completing an IRONMAN triathlon against all odds. With the support of a cardiac specialist, her family, and her community, Elise registered for IRONMAN Lake Placid. She accomplished her goal and completed her first IRONMAN Lake Placid in July in an impressive time of 11:29:23. In doing so, she also qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship in her first attempt. Elise is on a journey to inspire others to not let their chronic illness get in the way of living life to the fullest.
Redemption at the Finish Line
- Name: Eloïse Combe
- Age: 26
- Location: Puteaux, France
- Topline Story: Eloïse was able to fulfill one of her personal goals by finishing an IRONMAN event – however – her biggest victory was recognizing the personal journey and transformation she had been through. Eloïse had spent three years in the hospital battling anorexia a decade earlier. Five years after this, she weighed over 85 kg and was unable to engage in any sports – mentally or physically. These struggles have made Eloïse acknowledge how tough these experiences can be, but also how they have helped her build mental strength. Therefore, the finish line on the triathlon course represents redemption, a comeback and the result of a long personal battle for Eloïse.
Resilience and Recovery Leads to Kona
- Name: Laura Bardsley
- Age: 33
- Location: United Kingdom
- Topline Story: Laura is a coach, age-group triathlete and YouTuber who shares her journey openly – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. For a decade she battled anorexia and bulimia where she was told she wasn’t allowed to exercise as it could be a risk to her health. Once at a healthy weight, sport became a turning point, shifting her focus from how her body looked to what it could achieve. Triathlon not only transformed her health, but also gave her purpose and a career in endurance coaching. With three full-distance IRONMAN triathlons and seven half-distance races completed, Kona is more than a race for Laura, it is a powerful celebration of resilience, recovery, and the strength to rewrite her story.
“Movement Saved My Life”
- Name: Tamsin Horne
- Age: 33
- Location: Kerikeri, New Zealand
- Topline Story: A personal trainer and mother of two, Tamsin has turned adversity into strength. After surviving a life-threatening AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) brain bleed at the age of 15, experiencing temporary blindness, and living with chronic epilepsy, PTSD, and depression, she was told she’d never run long distances again. But eventually, movement became her medicine – reigniting her joy, reducing seizures, and ultimately leading her to triathlon. Despite undergoing six major surgeries in just 13 months, including a clavicle reconstruction, Tamsin completed the 2024 IRONMAN Cairns just 11 weeks on from her last surgery. She says crossing that finish line was something words can’t describe – she felt powerful, resilient, and capable. In 2025, Tamsin completed IRONMAN New Zealand on home soil, cheered on by friends and family. She finished fourth in her age group and qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona – an achievement beyond her wildest dreams. Tamsin’s journey is the embodiment of this year’s IRONMAN World Championship theme – resilience.
A Nostalgic Return
- Name: Nagako Fukumoto
- Age: 65
- Location: Japan
- Topline Story: After completing the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona for the first time in 1986, this will be Nagako’s first time returning after almost 40 years. The Japanese sexagenarian is filled with nostalgia and excitement to return to the course.
Beating Cancer and Conquering Kona
- Name: Lucia Liu
- Age: 55
- Location: Bad Kreuznach, Germany (Representing China)
- Topline Story: Lucia has battled breast cancer more than once. She might not have come back physically stronger after each battle but certainly has come back stronger mentally. In 2025, the IRONMAN Foundation has invited Lucia to race at the iconic IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. She is looking to prove that cancer patients and survivors have incredible strength, and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Until and beyond the October 11 race date, she will dedicate her life to triathlon and the fight against cancer.