From Medical School to the IRONMAN World Championship: Inbal Hadad’s Remarkable Journey

Inbal Hadad – a third-year medical student at the Technion’s Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and an active casualty officer in the IDF reserves – is set to represent Israel at the IRONMAN World Championship in Slovakia on May 18. Her qualification came after a stunning victory at the ISRAMAN Ironman race in Eilat, where she secured first place in the women’s under-40 category.

Her path to this achievement was anything but conventional. Balancing intense medical studies, military service, and a demanding training schedule, Hadad initially had no plans to compete in ISRAMAN. However, when the eyewear company Reind Optics offered to sponsor an athlete for the race, she seized the opportunity. Despite only a month of focused preparation, she completed the grueling course, comprised of a 1.9 km swim, 90 km of cycling, and a 21.1 km run, in just 6 hours, 22 minutes, and 16 seconds, earning her ticket to the world stage.

Hadad’s athletic journey began when she was a child. Growing up in Modi’in, her natural talent was evident as early as elementary school, where teachers noticed her running laps around the playground during recess. Initially focused on running and swimming, she discovered her passion for triathlon at the age of 16 and quickly fell in love with road cycling.

Following high school, Hadad made the difficult decision to step away from competitive sports. She dedicated herself to volunteering, participating in a pre-military leadership program, and later enlisting in the IDF as a commander in the Education Corps. There, she helped combat soldiers complete their matriculation exams, ensuring they had opportunities beyond their service.

After her military service, she initially pursued studies in psychobiology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, considering a career as a psychologist. However, two years into her degree, she realized that her true calling lay in medicine. Leaving Jerusalem and her work at a mental health support hostel, she moved to Haifa to study medicine at the Technion, drawn to its renowned sports program. During her first year, she joined the Technion’s ASA swim team, which significantly improved her swimming skills and allowed her to continue excelling in sports alongside her academic pursuits. Despite the rigorous demands of medical school, she continued training and competing, often reaching the podium in races.

In January 2024, Hadad’s competitive fire was reignited. While her husband, Bnaya – an IDF combat officer – was on leave from Lebanon, he noticed that Reind Optics was offering a sponsored entry to ISRAMAN. Without hesitation, he applied on her behalf. The opportunity was too good to pass up, and despite her packed schedule, Hadad trained intensively under coach Dan Koni, a former ISRAMAN champion. Her hard work paid off, and she not only completed the race but emerged victorious in her category.

Now, with the IRONMAN World Championship ahead, Hadad faces new challenges – not just in training but also in securing sponsorships to support her journey. “Triathlon is an expensive sport, requiring specialized bikes, shoes, and other gear,” she explained. “ASA Technion has been incredibly supportive, but the costs are high.” As she prepares to compete on the world stage, she is actively seeking sponsors to help make her dream a reality.

Despite the intense demands of medical school, reserve duty, and training, Hadad remains focused. “I fully intend to cross that finish line carrying the Israeli flag, just as I’ve always envisioned,” she said. With her resilience, determination, and unbreakable spirit, she is proving that no challenge is too great to overcome.