Bio
Terenzo Bozzone, a professional triathlete, was born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand with his family as a young boy. He was a talented athlete at school winning many national titles in a variety of disciplines including cross country running, cycling, swimming and multisport. After finishing school he focused on multisport and won the 2001 & 2002 Junior Men’s Elite Duathlon World Championship and the 2002 & 2003 Junior Men’s Elite Triathlon World Championship.
In 2008 Bozzone won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida setting a new course record of 3:40:10. He had a stellar year taking five wins, two second places and two course records.
This year Bozzone placed second at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo. It was his first attempt at the full ironman distance.
Q & A
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When did you first start training in life? Where and why?
When I was 18-months-old I wasn’t allowed dinner unless I did 10 pull ups, 100 squats and 12 laps around the yard on my feet. So I guess I was almost born ready.
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One sport wasn’t enough? What got your into the multi-sport arena?
Short story – I have always had too much energy so triathlon was a good way to meet people while burning that energy Long story – I swam 10 times per week from 8 – 13 years old and one summer I was wakeboarding, did a back flip and landed on my head bursting my eardrum. I had surgery and wasn’t allowed in the water for a few months so I started doing duathlons (run, bike, run) and multisport events (kayak, bike, run) until I was allowed back swimming. I then started doing triathlons.
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When did you turn pro?
Probably 6 years ago when I dropped out of physiotherapy school and started chasing the sun.
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What are the events, wins, memories that stand out most throughout your career so far?
2 x junior triathlon world champion 2002 &2003, 2 x junior duathlon world champion 2001 &2002, 1st Wildflower 2006 (still hold course record), 7th ITU world championship Hamburg 2007, 1st Ironman 70.3 world championships, Clearwater 2008, 5 x half ironman victories 2010. And my first win in last 20months (due to an avhilles injury) at the Brazil 70.3 in August 2012
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What is your best discipline and why?
Transition… because I know how to put my shoes on really really quick
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If you had a discipline that needed work, which would it be and why?
Patience, I am way too eager to push all the time, I need to sit back, relax make wise decisions now I am becoming a veteran of the sport.
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Your favorite distance?
Half Ironman / 70.3 distance 1.2mle swim, 56mile bike, 13.1mile run
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Preferred race day outfit …
my 2XU two piece in case I need to make a pit stop & my Radarlock Path photochromic are perfect for any sky conditions.
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If there is one thing that people in the industry would recognize you by, what would that be?
It used to be my Afro but that has long been chopped off for aerodynamic reason. The wind tunnel said it was slowing me down 12 percent. So now I have to rely on my Kiwi name “Terenzo Dante Aragnetti Bozzone” to set me apart from the rest.
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Who was your inspiration growing up:
Within your sport:
originally Simon Whitfield, then Greg Welch & Peter Reed and Mark Allen
Outside your sport:
Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong
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What has driven you to work super hard and rise up beyond mediocrity?
I set my goals high and working towards achieving them is a challenge I love. I am always searching for that extra percent in performance to get me to the finish line in front of my competitors.
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Are you a rebel? Why or why not?
Rebel with a cause; I am not afraid stand up and fight for those who cannot.
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What is your favorite course?
My favorite course is a course where I can take on the best in the world. Give me time to prepare and I will race over any terrain in any climate.
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What is the venue that you purely dread and why?
One year I was planning on racing Escape from Alcatraz, I was in San Fran a few months prior and drove around the course. The weather was very average, I kept getting lost and I almost missed my flight out. Even though I have never done it I have it in my head that I don’t like the race but deep down I know I would love to race it one day.
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Finish this sentence: “Oakley is ________”
what you want to wear to protect your eyes and stay on trend.
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If you weren’t killing it in the tri scene, what would you be doing for a living?
saving lives
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What is a hidden talent you have other than your sport?
I’m a bit of a handy man, but usually anything I start I have to get my old man to finish…. SHhhhhhh
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What is the best song to practice to?
"Feel the Love" – Rudimental
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If you had to share a hotel room/apartment with one Oakley athlete, who would it NOT be and why?
I wouldn’t share a room cause I would be too scared to sleep but I would give my Felt bike to hang out with Shaun White. His hair and clothes remind me of a lion.
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Tell me a funny story about another Oakley athlete...(We’ll never tell)...
I was skating with this guy before he was sponsored by Oakley, he bailed and cut his back up big time, but before he got up he was like “man are my Oakley okay?”
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People would be super surprised if they knew that you…
have some off the hook dance moves.
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Perfect date…
28th December – when Kelly and I tie the knot
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Celebrity crush:
Jessica Alba
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Your Favorite…
Food: Pizzza
Vacation Spot: The Beach
Airline: Air New Zealand
Candy: Black Liquorish
Sport (Besides your own): Snowboardingl
Music Genre: house / techno for training and top 40’s for chilling
Movie: The count of Monte Cristo
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One word association:
Swim: Tanning time
Bike: Aero
Run: Let's go!
Fun: Timeout
Victory:Achieving
Defeat: Ouch
Friend: Kind
Foe: Next
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Any last words??
Whatever you do in life, set your goals high and enjoy the challenges along the way. Rise above mediocrity!
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