TRIBUTES have poured in for a female triathlon champion who drowned in a freak accident aged 39.
Aninha Zuleica Xavier tragically passed away during a race in her native Brazil on Saturday.
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The ace, a champion in another triathlon last month, had gone into the Atlantic Ocean off Fortaleza with other competitors during the first part of the event.
But Xavier was not seen coming back out with the other athletes, leading her team to quickly raise the alarm with organisers.
A search quickly began for the mum-of-one, who was married for 15 years and worked as a teacher in her day job.
However, rescuers unfortunately found her floating and unresponsive in the sea.
Efforts were made to revive Xavier but she was declared dead on the way to hospital.
Race officials said: “We alerted the Fire Department rescue team, who were out in a boat.
“We saw Aninha already responsive at sea. Before the race she passed routine tests with our technical team and the course was well known to her.”
Brazilian outlet G1 Globo claims the race began before official lifeguards started their duties on the beach.
They add that rescue officials were not asked to provide support during the event either.
Police are understood to be investigating her death.
Tributes poured in for Xavier after the tragic news emerged.
The sports consultancy she was part of, Runners Ceara, said: “Her dedication, sportsmanship and joy left a mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
“In this moment of grief we express our most sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
“May you find comfort in the memories and legacy that Aninha leaves in our community. May her memory remain alive in our hearts.”
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