India, April 20 -- Mara Flavia, a triathlete with massive following on Instagram, tragically drowned during the swimming endurance segment of the renowned Ironman competition in Texas on Saturday.

"Mara was an accomplished triathlete, placing third in the Brasilia Triathlon and obtaining two world qualifications for the Ironman 70.3," the US Sun reported.

"Friend Luis Taveira suggested Mara had health problems, even though her cause of death has not yet been revealed."

The 38-year-old Brazilian influencer boasting over 60,000 followers on Instagram, disappeared during an open-water swim in Lake Woodlands, which is the first of three demanding trials that participants encounter in the 140-mile race.

Frantic calls began to flood the Mon...