While the majority of 19-year-old college students are still planning their summer internship or reviewing their exam schedule, Renee Noronha, an IIT Madras student, has already successfully completed two of the most difficult endurance tests in the world. Her journey from a Mumbai gymnast to the Ironman Hamburg European Championship finish line is remarkable, and she is officially India's youngest female Ironman as of now.
Renee saved more than two and a half hours from her previous Ironman New Zealand time by finishing the triathlon in under 14 hours, which consisted of a 3.8 km swim, cycling 180 km, and running a 42.2 km full marathon, all within a constrained 17-hour window. She accomplished this while juggling her coursework at one of the most prestigious universities in India.
Renee's journey did not begin at the triathlons. Between the ages of six and sixteen, she worked as a professional artistic gymnast. After placing first in her age group at the Ironman Kids race in Goa when she was sixteen, she made the somewhat unexpected switch to endurance sports. Renee became the youngest Indian to complete a full Ironman in New Zealand in 2023. However, she felt she really stretched her boundaries earlier this month in Hamburg, Germany.
She recalled the moment she received her award after crossing the finish line. She met her father, called her family back home, proudly raised the Indian flag, and took pictures. She even had her name and finish time inscribed on her medal, a sentimental memento that symbolised the outcome of months of suffering, sweat, and perseverance.
Renee finished 15th in her age group (18–24) at Hamburg after swimming in 1:30:33, riding a bike in 6:58:54, and running a marathon in 5:16:45. Even though Renee's family moved to London last year, she still attends IIT Madras to study online for a BSc in Data Science and Applications. Although her family is from Santa Cruz, her roots are still Goan.
Renee Noronha made history at the Ironman New Zealand competition in 2023 by becoming the youngest Indian woman to finish a full Ironman at the age of just 18 years and 49 days. Despite the rain and chilly gusts at the finish line, she managed to place fourth in her age group. Renee has solidified her status as a rising star in the world of endurance sports by finishing two Ironmans before turning 20.
Image source: Femina