Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji
Panaji, Jun 30: “You. Are. An. Ironman.” – these four iconic words once again echoed for 19-year-old Renee Noronha, as she crossed the finish line at the Ironman Hamburg European Championship in Germany earlier this month. The Goa-rooted teenager, currently pursuing her undergraduate degree from IIT Madras, has etched her name in history as India’s youngest female Ironman.
In a stunning feat of endurance, Renee clocked 14 hours to complete the grueling race — a phenomenal improvement from her debut performance of 16:35:47 hrs just 15 months ago at Ironman New Zealand. Her effort in Hamburg placed her 15th in the 18-24 age group, showcasing the promise of a young athlete on the rise.
The Ironman triathlon, among the toughest one-day sporting events globally, consists of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycling, and a 42.2 km marathon run, to be completed consecutively within 17 hours. Renee finished with timings of 1:30:33 (swim), 6:58:54 (cycling), and 5:16:45 (run).
From Gymnast to Ironman
Renee’s transition from artistic gymnastics — a sport she pursued professionally between ages 6 and 16 — to the demanding world of triathlons is nothing short of inspiring. “Endurance sports are not only for the elite, but for anyone willing to push their limits,” she told media from London, where she currently resides.
Her journey began at the Ironman Kids event in Goa in 2022, where she clinched the top spot in her age category. Inspired, she trained relentlessly and, at just 18 years and 49 days, made headlines as the youngest full-distance Ironman finisher at the New Zealand championship.
Balancing Academics and Athletics
Despite the intense training schedule, Renee excels in academics too. As a second-year BSc Data Science and Applications student at IIT Madras, she strikes a remarkable balance. “It’s all about time management. I adjust the training intensity week by week,” she shared, highlighting her dedication.
Renee also hopes her journey will inspire more young Indians, especially girls, to embrace endurance sports. “The discipline, the resilience, the self-belief you build in this sport changes who you are,” she said with conviction.
Born in Mumbai and now based in London after her father John Paul took up a job there, Renee proudly traces her roots to Santa Cruz, Goa. Waving the Indian flag before crossing the finish line in Hamburg, she said, was one of her proudest moments.
As she trains for future events and continues her academic journey, Renee Noronha’s incredible achievement stands as a glowing symbol of youthful grit, Goan pride, and the limitless potential of Indian women in global endurance sports.