Some people notice inequities in the world and lament them. Other people are compelled to create change. Sika Henry is the latter. On her road to becoming the first African American female pro triathlete, she faced many challenges including a horrific bike crash that nearly ended her dreams. But Sika is no quitter. With the help of her amazing support system, she trained hard to come back stronger than ever.
Her lifelong dream to get her pro card went beyond her own aspirations - she wanted to break down barriers that keep young black athletes from participating in triathlons. Today, her success and the story of the road to her pro card, inspires a new generation of black athletes to compete and aim for the most elite levels of the sport. Here’s Sika's story, in her own words.
Breaking Down Barriers
Sika Henry is a Corporate Analyst and a Professional Triathlete based in Newport News, VA. As a collegiate high jumper, Sika became an NCAA All American in Track and Field while earning her degree in Economics from Tufts University. She is a 2019 IRONMAN World Championship finisher, a 2-time Marathon Champ, and made history when she became the first African American Woman to qualify for her pro card in triathlon. Sika was named Athlete of the Year as part of the 2020 Outspoken Women in Triathlon Awards for her work to advocate for and make positive change in the sport of triathlon.
Is equity in sports important to you? We can break down barriers together. The Race For Change is an initiative of The IRONMAN Foundation that seeks to identify and remove participation barriers within the sport of triathlon that impact Black and other diverse athlete groups.
Follow Sika on Instagram to learn more about her life, training, events, and more!
