Sports
José Graça: Journey of a 3x Kona Podium Finisher
With over 30 Ironman races under his belt, the Big Island resident shares training secrets and race-week wisdom.
Based in Hawaii for over a decade, José Graça has become a vital resource for athletes traveling to Kona. The amateur triathlete looks back on his transition from surfing and martial arts to endurance sports, his three World Championship podium finishes, and explains why resting during race week is essential.
Born in Ubatuba on the northern coast of São Paulo, José Graça grew up with a surfboard under his arm and his eyes on surf magazines featuring Hawaiian waves. Decades later, the island state not only became his permanent home, but also the backdrop for one of the most consistent amateur careers in Brazilian triathlon: 10 starts and 3 podium finishes at the prestigious Ironman World Championship in Kona.
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From Martial Arts to His First World Championship Slot
Before taking up triathlon in 2006, Graça built a solid athletic foundation in karate. A black belt in the Wadokai style and a multiple-time medalist at regional and national championships in Brazil, he credits the discipline with instilling flexibility, strict stretching routines, and the mental grit required for distance running. His transition into endurance sports began in São José dos Campos, starting with cycling and duathlons before stepping up to long-course racing.
The decisive pivot to Hawaii came in 2011. While traveling to watch the Pipe Masters on Oahu's North Shore, he was invited to join the support crew for Vanuza Maciel at the Ultraman World Championship, a grueling three-day event circling the Big Island. Setting foot in Kona and witnessing Alexandre Ribeiro's victory up close convinced Graça to return as a competitor. He returned to Brazil to train and earned his first World Championship slot the following year at Ironman Brazil in Florianópolis.
Life on the Big Island and the Role of Host
After years splitting time between Brazil, international races, and Hawaii, Graça settled permanently on the island in 2016 after getting married and receiving his Green Card. Over the years, his home and local routine became a welcoming hub for hundreds of Brazilian triathletes arriving in Kona each year, earning him the affectionate nickname 'Mayor of Kona.'
Beyond his intimate knowledge of the island—from the unpredictable crosswinds on the Queen K and the climb to Hawi to the trails around Mauna Kea and Kilauea Volcano—Graça expanded his local presence by co-founding Kona Bike Rentals with his wife, Estela, offering high-performance bike rentals and athlete support.
Three Podiums and Progressing Through Age Groups
With more than 30 full-distance Ironman races completed throughout his career, Graça reached his competitive peak after turning 40. His first podium trophy (the traditional carved Hawaiian wooden bowl) came in 2018 in the men's 40-44 age group, clocking an impressive 8:58:58 to place 4th in his division and finish as Brazil's top amateur that day alongside Carla Moreno in the women's division.
The following year, in 2019, competing in the 45-49 age group, Graça returned to the podium with a 5th-place finish in a stacked field featuring world-class athletes such as Olympic cycling champion Alexander Vinokourov and Argentina's Oscar Galíndez. His third podium came at the 2024 World Championship, where he claimed 2nd place in the 50-54 division, cementing his longevity among the amateur elite.
The Biggest Mistake in Kona: Over-Training Race Week
For José Graça, the single biggest misstep amateur triathletes make upon landing on the Big Island is overtraining in the final days before the race. Under the guise of acclimating to the heat and wind, many deplete their energy reserves by pushing hard on iconic sections like Ali'i Drive and the Energy Lab.
According to the veteran athlete, anyone arriving in Kona ten days before the start already has the fitness banked. Trying to cram hard efforts into that final stretch offers 'a 99% chance of hurting your race and a 1% chance of helping it.' His advice for peak performance is simple: prioritize travel recovery, stay on top of hydration, dial in equipment, and save your legs for race day.
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