Sports
Reinaldo Colucci: Two-time Champion Ready for IRONMAN Brazil
Colucci reveals his intense preparation, strategies, and ambitious goals for the challenge in Floripa.
In an exclusive interview at the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN Brazil, two-time champion Reinaldo Colucci details his altitude training and expectations for the race. He shares the importance of a competitive start list and his strategy for tackling the challenging course in Florianópolis. His focus? The pursuit of a third championship title.
Hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura, from the podcast Radar Stemma, welcomed two-time IRONMAN Brazil champion Reinaldo Colucci for an exclusive chat live from the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN Brazil 2026. In a relaxed conversation, Colucci shared details of his meticulous preparation, the importance of high-level competition, and his expectations for the dispute in Florianópolis.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
Elite Altitude Preparation
Reinaldo Colucci revealed that his preparation for IRONMAN Brazil included a three-week period of altitude training in Cuenca, Ecuador. He trained alongside athletes like Manuel, Messias, and Diego Moia. Despite facing a cold midway through the camp, he managed to complete all his planned training, replicating the successful "recipe" from previous years that led to his victories in 2022 and 2024.
Colucci explained that the benefit of altitude is essentially physiological: the low-oxygen environment forces the body to adapt, increasing the production of hemoglobin and hematocrit. This makes training more difficult at high altitude, but upon returning to sea level, the athlete feels like they are "flying," with enhanced oxygenation capacity. According to him, the body becomes "fitter, better trained."
The Thrill of Competition and Race Strategies
For Reinaldo Colucci, a start list full of high-level athletes is always preferable. He believes that competition is what drives the sport and motivates competitors to achieve their best results. "Competition always makes the sport grow," he stated. Regarding foreign competitors, Colucci mentioned having faced athlete Yuri in middle-distance races without success. However, he emphasized the difference between "half" and "full" IRONMAN, indicating that Yuri's debut in the long distance is a distinct scenario, requiring different strategies.
Focused on his own performance, Colucci aims to beat his personal best time in Floripa, which was 7h48 in 2022, targeting a podium spot or even a win. He made a humorous comment about the Kona slot: if he wins with 7h35, he'll accept it; if with 7h36, he'll pass it on, not considering himself "worthy" of the feat.
IRONMAN Brazil: Weather, Course, and Records
Analyzing the conditions of IRONMAN Brazil in Florianópolis, Colucci highlighted the importance of the weather. In recent years, the race has been challenged by adverse conditions, but the forecast for this year is good weather, with pleasant temperatures and little wind, which could make the race "easier" and less draining for endurance athletes. The course is considered smooth, with few elevations and a generally "flat" sea for swimming. These characteristics make Floripa an excellent choice for those looking to debut in the distance or achieve a personal best.
Although the 7h31 record set by Taccone the previous year is considered "world top five level" and difficult to beat (it would require something in the range of 7h20), the combination of a strong start list and good weather conditions could lead to very fast times in the 2026 edition.
A Quick Q&A with the Two-Time Champion
In a rapid-fire Q&A segment, Reinaldo Colucci revealed:
- His World Cup star is Neymar.
- His first triathlon race was in 1999, in Ribeirão Preto, with distances of 300m swimming, 12-15km cycling, and 3km running.
- He plans to consume approximately 120g of carbohydrates per hour on the bike and 100-105g/hour on the run, totaling almost 1 kg of carbohydrates throughout the race.
- His biggest dream in triathlon is to be a three-time champion in Floripa.
- The song he'd like to hear when crossing the finish line is "Ando devagar porque já tive pressa" (I walk slowly because I once was in a hurry).
The interview with Reinaldo Colucci offers deep insight into what it takes to compete at the highest level of triathlon. His determination, strategic preparation, and respect for his adversaries are inspiring to any athlete, professional or amateur, who seeks to overcome their own limits and live their best version on the tracks and roads.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
