Mum-of-two wins triathlon world title after turning life around

A mum-of-two has been crowned an age-group triathlon world champion a decade after deciding to turn her life around.

Nicola Beck, 55, was a heavy smoker and overweight when she decided to take her first steps into triathlon in 2014 – with the Rogiet native first having to learn to swim again.

A year later, Beck completed her first IRONMAN and has gone from strength to strength since.

She was in complete control as she powered to victory at the T100 Age Group World Championships in Qatar, winning the 55-59 women’s category by almost 20 minutes despite missing the first half of the year due to stomach surgery.

“I was sitting on the couch watching my husband do it and decided I was going to give it a go,” she said.

“I couldn’t swim in 2014, I did my first ironman in 2015. I have turned it around completely. I am actually enjoying life being a lot healthier.

“It really helps with your head as well. If I have had a stressful day, go out for a run and it just clears your head.

“I was just coming to enjoy myself, which I definitely did, and it is a bonus that I podiumed. I am over the moon.

“Consistency is what gets it done. Age is just a number, anyone can do it.”

The T100 Age Group World Championships are part of a wider celebration of triathlon in Qatar, which also saw the professional world champions Kate Waugh and Hayden Wilde crowned as the 2025 season came to an end.

The T100 Triathlon World Tour offers a unique opportunity for amateurs to race the same course as professional athletes, with over 250 triathletes taking place in the age group competitions, and Beck hailed the event as one to remember.

“The organisation was absolutely amazing,” she said. “The feed stations were impeccable, the bike course was brilliant. The swim was gorgeous out there.

“It is the pinnacle for everybody and T100 have done a fantastic job.”