Panaji: Four years ago, Renee Noronha took part in Ironkids Goa almost on a whim, not knowing what it would do to her triathlon career. As a 16-year-old, she had just transitioned to athletics from gymnastics, but the Goa event made her fall in love with the sport.“It was the first time I got to experience a triathlon,” Renee told TOI over a recent video call from London where she is now based. “We had only the runs at the Ironkids, but I got to see all the athletes arrive (for Ironman 70.3 Goa) with their cycles and do the course. It’s a tough race; it’s hilly, hot. Let’s hope I get to do it one day. Maybe next year.”If she indeed comes to Goa for Ironman 70.3 next November, all eyes will be on her, not because of her Goan roots or her age. Renee, after all, is no longer the teenager who took Ironkids Goa by storm in 2022. She’s now India’s youngest female Ironman, halfway through securing a world record of being the youngest to do an Ironman on six different continents, and last month achieved the incredible feat of being the youngest Indian to finish the Ironman World Championship in Kona, the birthplace of the sport.From Ironkids Goa to Ironman World Championship in just four years, Renee has come a long way. And she’s just 20.“This race challenged me in ways I’ll never forget but it was the best day of my life,” said Renee as she completed the gruelling 140.6 mile test in 15 hours and 41 minutes, “swimming through the waves of the Pacific Ocean to cycling across Kona’s iconic lava fields and running through the heat, humidity and darkness.”The IRONMAN World Championship involves 3.8km of swimming, 180km of cycling and then a 42.2km marathon.“I was really happy that I could go there and race alongside professionals, those who are the best in their groups. Many said this was one of the toughest race in recent times. It’s challenging because this is all about keeping your energy for the run. If you go out too strong, your race is over. A lot of pro athletes did not finish this race,” said Renee, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science and Applications from IIT Madras.Renee was the lone Indian girl at the start and the finish. She was proud to represent the country but kept wondering why she had to be the only one.“I would like to see a whole team of Indian women at the start line. I want the next generation to be faster and stronger, and braver than me. I am chasing this world record because it is my dream. But I hope this dream gives another girl an opportunity to chase hers. You don’t see a lot of female endurance athletes in India. I want that to change.“Being the youngest to do a marathon in six different continents would make me really proud. If a girl can see my journey and she sees that this girl is trying to be the youngest, hopefully she will get inspired. If an Indian girl tries to break my record, that would be an amazing moment. I will be so proud of whatever effort I have put in (to inspire others),” said Renee.For now, Renee is chasing her own record.When Ironman 70.3 Goa kicks off early on Sunday morning, Renee will be lacing up in Argentina for IRONMAN San Juan. It will be her fourth Ironman on four different continents, getting closer to her world record.
