Raquel Torres

Athletic Biography

Raquel Torres was born on January 28, 1981, in La Vega, Dominican Republic. She grew up in a simple, peaceful environment where sports and physical activity were a natural part of daily life. From a very early age, she practiced swimming, cycling, judo, and karate; she also enjoyed skating and horseback riding. She began competitive swimming at the age of three and, over time, developed a deep passion for cycling—a discipline that ultimately led her to discover triathlon.

As a junior athlete from 1996 to 1999, Raquel competed both nationally and internationally—representing her country in Mexico, Costa Rica (twice), Venezuela, Aruba, and Cuba—earning podium finishes at Junior Central American and Pan American events despite limited training. In 1998, she stepped away from competitive sports to focus on her academic and professional development. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, a postgraduate degree in Business Logistics at UNAPEC University, and an MBA from Western Michigan University in the United States.

How and why Raquel became an elite and then professional triathlete.

After nearly a decade in the finance industry and upon becoming a mother, Raquel decided to seek greater balance and purpose in her life. In 2012, she returned to sport and competed in her first triathlon with minimal preparation, finishing first overall. Shortly thereafter, she won the Michigan State Triathlon Championship, marking her return to high-performance competition and opening the door to elite international racing. The Dominican Triathlon Federation subsequently recruited Raquel to represent the country on the Olympic circuit.

That same year, a fellow triathlete from her local triathlon club repeatedly invited her to attend a triathlon clinic. She ultimately decided to participate at the last minute. Upon arrival, she was given a raffle number—and unexpectedly won a VO₂ max test.

In early 2013, approximately three months later, she completed the test. A VO₂ max test is a standardized measure of maximal oxygen uptake during intense exercise and is considered the gold standard for assessing aerobic capacity. Her results fell within the elite range, indicating exceptional cardiovascular efficiency and high potential for endurance performance.

This test marked a pivotal turning point in her journey. She met her coach, Mark Olson of Athletic Mentors, who has coached her ever since. Through that connection, Raquel joined the Athletic Mentors Team, met Coach Cheryl Sherwood, and later became an Athletic Mentors coach herself.

Organically, with the support of sponsors, Raquel has competed in around 50 international events, gaining invaluable experience and representing her discipline at the highest levels. Their backing allowed her to focus on training, travel, and performance, reinforcing her commitment to excellence while building lasting connections across the global triathlon community.

Between 2013 and 2020, Raquel competed as an Elite ITU athlete and as a professional triathlete, participating in Pan American Cups and World Cups, and qualifying for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. On the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit, she achieved multiple Top 5 and Top 10 finishes, highlighted by a 3rd Overall finish at IRONMAN 70.3 San Diego in 2019, which qualified her for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. She also completed two full IRONMAN races as a professional: IRONMAN Louisville 2018, where she placed 8th in the professional category, and IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant 2019.

Over more than a decade of competition, from 2013 to 2025, Raquel has built a strong international career defined by consistency, resilience, and competitive excellence. She has competed in Pan American Cups across Puerto Rico, Costa Rica (twice), Argentina (twice), Chile (twice), Ecuador (three times), Peru, Mexico (three times), Colombia, the Dominican Republic (multiple times), and Canada (four times). Her international experience also extends beyond the Americas, including the African Cup in Dakhla, Morocco, and high-level competitions such as Ironman 70.3 Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In parallel, she has remained a consistent presence on the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 circuits, delivering standout performances at iconic venues across North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America, including her appearance at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship (Utah, 2021).

Based on her performance and ITU points from the numerous international and World Cup events, Raquel qualified for the Triathlon World Series as an Elite athlete, competing in Chicago in 2014 and Edmonton in 2015. These achievements reflect her consistency and ability to perform at the highest level on the global stage.

Beyond results, Raquel’s journey reflects a story of perseverance, continuous growth, and long-term commitment to excellence. Today, she has transformed triathlon into both her lifestyle and professional career, using sport as a platform to inspire, empower, and help others reach their full potential.