At 19, Renee Noronha is rewriting what it means to be unstoppable. A student at IIT Madras pursuing a B.Sc. in Data Science and Applications, Renee recently became India’s youngest female Ironman, a title earned not once, but twice, first in New Zealand and now at the Ironman Hamburg European Championship. 

Her achievement is no small feat: a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycling, and a 42.2 km marathon, all completed within 14 hours, beating her own previous record by over two hours. With roots in Mumbai and Goa and a family now based in London, she balances academics with athleticism like a force of nature.

The Extraordinary Journey of Renee Noronha

Renee’s journey began on a balance beam. A professional artistic gymnast from age six to sixteen, her childhood was filled with flips, form and training. But destiny pivoted when she entered the Ironman Kids event in Goa and clinched the top spot in her age group. That “sprint” ignited a hunger for more. 

Soon, she was preparing for Olympic-distance triathlons and then committing to the ultimate test: a full Ironman. In 2023, at just 18 years and 49 days, she became the youngest Indian woman to finish an Ironman in New Zealand, cementing her place in endurance history and proving that discipline can reshape a legacy.

Iron, Sweat, and the Indian Flag: The Heart of a Champion

In Hamburg this year, Renee completed her swim in 1 hour 30 minutes, biked for nearly 7 hours, and ran a full marathon in 5 hours 16 minutes. She placed 15th in her age group (18–24). “You. Are. An. Ironman.” 

Those four words hit differently when you're standing at the finish line, draped in your country’s flag, medal in hand, heart full. She met her father, beamed through photos, and carved the moment into memory, literally.

A Message to Every Young Girl

In a world where women in endurance sports remain underrepresented, her message is revolutionary: “Endurance is for everyone. It builds resilience, strength, and pride. Young girls in India belong here.” Despite moving countries and studying remotely, she trains religiously and manages her schedule like a pro. “It’s all about intensity and consistency,” she says. 

While Ironman remains an unfamiliar territory for many, Renee is breaking that barrier, one race at a time. With two Ironman titles under her belt before 20, she’s a symbol of what happens when grit meets grace. And she’s only just getting started.