IIT student and Goa origin girl is India's youngest female Ironman
Panaji: Those four words seemed magical. You. Are. An. Ironman.
Renee Noronha had heard those words for the first time in New Zealand last year, but in Germany early this month, it had a special meaning.
In just about 15 months, the 19-year-old student of IIT Madras chalked off an amazing two and half hours from her previous time of 16:35:47 hrs to successfully complete the Ironman Hamburg European Championship in just 14 hours.
The championship, one of Europe's most competitive endurance events, includes a 3.8km swim, 180km cycling, and a full 42.2km run, all to be done sequentially and completed in 17 hours.
'Nothing is easy for endurance events, particularly Ironman, so I had to keep going,' Renee told TOI over a phone call from London where she is currently based.
'This was all about finishing the event, so after the swim and cycle, you still have to complete a full marathon. In Hamburg, when I started the (42-km) run, I knew I was going to finish it. Before reaching the finish line, I pulled out the India flag and held it above.
It was a superb feeling. I am proud of representing the country at global events.'
Renee is no ordinary sportsperson. Transitioning from a professional gymnast between the ages of six and sixteen to an endurance athlete, the teenager with roots in Goa has completed two Ironmans in as many years.
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Last year, she finished fourth in her age group, and at 18 years and 49 days, was the youngest full distance Ironman finisher at Ironman New Zealand.
She is also India's youngest female Ironman.
'It was the craziest feeling ever, almost felt like a dream when I crossed the finish line for the first time. It was cold in New Zealand, the weather wasn't conducive, and it started raining some kilometres from the finish line. I had to push myself with all my strength.
When I crossed the finish line, the announcement came as a relief. Renee, they said, 'you are an Ironman'.'
With family roots in Goa – Santa Cruz to be precise – Renee was born in Mumbai and moved to London last year when her father, John Paul, secured a job. Formerly a professional artistic gymnast, she is currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in data science and applications from IIT Madras but her mind remains fixated on making it big in the world of endurance sports.
'I was 16 when I took part in the Ironman Kids event in Goa (in 2022) and finished first in my age group. I was already training for triathlon around that time and did an Olympic distance run. At first, it seemed like a sprint, and I felt like doing more. That's when we turned our attention to a full Ironman,' said Renee.
Not everyone is aware of Ironman. A niche sector sees the endurance test with majestic awe; others are aware that it's a tough event yet have little idea of what one has to endure to cross the finish line within the stipulated time.
'Endurance sports are not only for the elite, but for anyone willing to push their limits,' said Renee.
In Hamburg, Renee finished 15th in her age group of 18 to 24 with timings of 1:30:33 for the 3.8 km swim, 6:58:54 for 180 km bike ride and 5:16:45 to complete the 42.2 km full marathon. It wasn't easy, particularly in the end, but Renee knew she had not signed up for anything that could be achieved without breaking sweat.
Completing Ironman when she is still in her teens is commendable.
Even more impressively, she balances this pursuit with academic rigour as a second-year student at IIT Madras, one of India's premier institutes of technology.
'It's all about managing your time and I change the intensity every week,' said Renee. 'Ironman is not just about finishing a race. It's about showing young people across India, particularly girls, that endurance sports are for us too. The discipline, the resilience, the self-belief you build in this sport changes who you are.'
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