Reveka Papadopoulos qualifies for Ironman Kona, Hawaii competition

A Lakemba mum-of-two’s life started to spiral following a marriage breakdown and a miscarriage of twins. But a love for sports helped keep her “sane”.

Reveka Papadopoulos has qualified for Ironman Kona, Hawaii competition.

Nothing could have prepared a southwest Sydney mother-of-two for the “challenging years” she underwent two marriage breakdowns, multiple rounds of IVF and the loss of twins.

But, the 50-year-old channelled the bad news into raising a family back in Australia after 16 years in New York and getting back into the sport she loves – triathlons and Ironman competitions.

With a passion for fitness, Reveka Papadopoulos qualified for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in October after finishing 18th in her age group at an event in Port Macquarie in May.

Ms Papadopolous said Kona would be a “different kind of pilgrimage” as it is the first-ever women only event. “It’s like the Oscars of Ironman as Kona is where it all started,” she said.

But the journey to Kona wasn’t always easy for the Lakemba resident.

Reveka Papadopoulos has qualified for Ironman Kona, Hawaii competition. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Reveka was dealing with a marriage breakdown when she left Australia to pursue a career in recruitment in New York City in 2000.

A conversation with a colleague over drinks sparked her love for triathlons and she entered her first competition in 2009.

Reveka Papadopoulos and her family, including her two children Sofia and Theo.

“I put my hand up for my first Ironman in Lake Placid back in 2011 and we raised $10,000 for people who were in remission for leukaemia and lymphoma,” she said.

After her first Ironman, she took a break for 11 years after having her two children Sofia, 8, and Theo, 10, while “facing a few obstacles along the road.”

Ms Papadopoulos went through multiple rounds of IVF and was later diagnosed with grade four endometriosis.

“My son was born and my daughter came after I lost the twins at nine weeks and my marriage started to spiral,” she said.

Reveka Papadopoulos and her daughter, Sofia.

“I will say there were some red flags and he was a heavy drinker.”

When her daughter Sophie was born, Ms Papadopoulos said her ex-husband had an affair and started gambling.

“These were signs for us to do something and not stay in this place and we had gone to counselling and agreed it’s good to take the kids to Australia,” she said.

Ms Papadopoulos said if it wasn’t for the support from her parents, she wouldn’t have been able to raise her kids after court battles with her ex-husband.

Reveka Papadopoulos has qualified for Ironman Kona, Hawaii competition

“I had my family who could look after the kids which meant I could train again, so I threw myself back in because it was the only way to get stronger and rebuild my life,” she said.

The mum-of-two said her children were “beyond proud” and would continue to champion for triathlons in a bid to “empower women”.

“I’ve been very vocal about my divorce and I have women going through a [similar] situation and don’t know how to ask for help and I was lucky to have someone else help me,” she said.

Ms Papadopoulos said the money raised will go towards accommodation and plane tickets for the “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

Donate to Reveka’s GoFundMe here.