Ana Carolina Azevedo: Brazil’s Elite Sprint Star

Personal Information: Ana Carolina de Jesus Azevedo was born on May 19, 1998, in São Roque, São Paulo, Brazil, making her 27 years old. She is one of Brazil’s premier sprinters and has established herself as a dominant force in South American athletics. She holds World Athletics athlete code 14579558 and competes for Esporte Clube Pinheiros.

Track and Field Achievements

Personal Bests:

• 60 Meters: 7.16 seconds (February 22, 2025 – Cochabamba, Bolivia)
• 100 Meters: 11.18 seconds (June 27, 2024 – Bragança Paulista, Brazil)
• 200 Meters: 22.91 seconds (April 27, 2024 – São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil)
• 400 Meters: 52.70 seconds (March 16, 2024)
• 4×100 Meters Relay: 43.46 seconds (August 25, 2023)

Current World Rankings:

• #51 globally in women’s 100 meters
• #128 globally in women’s 200 meters

These rankings demonstrate Ana Carolina’s position among the world’s elite sprinters, making her a consistent threat in international competition.

Major Championships and Honors:

Olympic Games:

• 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Competed in 200 meters (23.20 seconds in qualifying heat)
• 2024 Paris Olympics: Competed in both 100 meters and 200 meters events

Pan American Games:

• 2023 Santiago, Chile: Bronze medal in 200 meters – her breakthrough international podium finish

South American Championships:

• Three-time South American Champion
• One-time South American Championships silver medallist
• South American Games winner

National Recognition:

• 2020: Named Best Female Athlete by the Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt)
• Multiple-time Brazilian National Champion
• 2020: Champion in 200m and runner-up in 100m at the Brazilian Championships (Troféu Brasil)
• Best Athlete at the 2020 Brazilian U23 Championships

International Indoor Success:

• 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships (Glasgow): Competed in 60 meters with personal best of 7.50 seconds

Early Life and Athletic Development

Childhood and Discovery: Ana Carolina’s journey into athletics began in primary school at EMEF Maria Aparecida de Oliveira Ribeiro in Mairinque, interior São Paulo. Her natural energy and competitive spirit were evident from an early age. “When I was a child I was always electric, I liked to play with the boys. I beat the boys when the physical education teacher recommended me for athletics,” she recalled.

Early Events: She began competing in the pre-youth category, initially in long jump and 75 meters. Her versatility was apparent from the beginning, showing the speed and power that would later make her a sprint specialist.

Geographic Development:

• Mairinque: Initial athletic discovery
• São Roque: Developed through age 15
• São Paulo: Moved to the capital city to train with elite coaching

Professional Training and Coaching

Current Training Setup: Ana Carolina trains with the renowned coach Katsuhico Nakaya at the Núcleo de Alto Rendimento (NAR) in São Paulo. Nakaya, a former Olympic sprinter who competed in the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, brings exceptional technical expertise and Olympic experience to her development.

Training Philosophy: Under Nakaya’s guidance, the focus is on individual excellence as the foundation for both personal achievement and relay team success. “Our focus is on what each one can do. I’m not worried about Olympic qualification because I know we have all the conditions to qualify, but rather on improving each athlete individually,” Nakaya explained.

Training Environment: The NAR facility provides world-class training conditions, allowing Ana Carolina to work alongside other elite Brazilian sprinters including her inspiration, Ana Cláudia Lemos da Silva, the former South American record holder.

Career Progression and Development

Junior to Senior Transition: Ana Carolina’s development accelerated when she began training with Nakaya during her final year in the youth category. The technical improvements under his coaching system have been instrumental in her rise to international prominence.

2020 Breakthrough Season: Her exceptional 2020 season marked her emergence as Brazil’s leading sprinter:

• Brazilian Champion in 200m
• Runner-up in 100m at national championships
• Named Best Female Athlete by Brazilian Athletics Confederation
• Outstanding performance at U23 championships

Olympic Qualification Journey: Her qualification for both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics demonstrates sustained excellence and consistent improvement over multiple Olympic cycles.

Technical Excellence and Race Strategy

Sprint Specialization: Ana Carolina’s technical profile shows exceptional ability across sprint distances:

• 100m: Pure speed and explosive start
• 200m: Her strongest event, combining speed with curve technique and endurance
• 400m: Extended speed endurance capability

Relay Team Leadership: As a key member of Brazil’s 4x100m relay team, she has participated in multiple national training camps and brings both individual speed and team tactical awareness. Her relay experience includes four national team training camps, demonstrating her value as both an individual competitor and team athlete.

Personal Interests and Inspirations

Role Models: Ana Carolina draws inspiration from fellow Brazilian sprinter Ana Cláudia Lemos da Silva, whom she has admired since adolescence. Training alongside her childhood idol has provided both motivation and mentorship. “Very good to be in the same group as her, she gives me experience,” she noted.

Training Philosophy: Her approach combines technical excellence with mental toughness, developed through years of competition at the highest levels. Her ability to perform consistently in major championships demonstrates strong psychological preparation.

Community Connection: Despite her elite status, Ana Carolina maintains strong connections to her São Paulo state roots, often competing in local meets and supporting the development of Brazilian sprinting.

Career Aspirations and Future Goals

Olympic Ambitions: Having competed in two Olympic Games, Ana Carolina continues to pursue Olympic medal contention. Her consistent improvement and current world rankings position her as a potential finalist and medal contender in future major championships.

Time Targets: Under coach Nakaya’s guidance, she targets:

• 200m: Breaking 23.00 seconds (already achieved with 22.91)
• 100m: Continued improvement toward sub-11.10
• Relay: Contributing to Brazilian medal hopes in 4x100m

Long-term Vision: Ana Carolina’s goals extend beyond personal achievement to contributing to Brazilian sprinting excellence and inspiring the next generation of Brazilian athletes.

Impact on Brazilian Athletics

National Leadership: As Brazil’s premier female sprinter, Ana Carolina serves as both competitor and leader, helping elevate Brazilian sprinting on the international stage.

Relay Team Foundation: Her individual excellence provides the foundation for Brazilian relay success, with the team having strong qualification chances for major championships.

Youth Inspiration: Her journey from small-town discovery to Olympic competition provides a model for young Brazilian athletes, demonstrating that world-class achievement is possible through dedication and proper development.

Training and Competition Schedule

Year-Round Training: Based at NAR in São Paulo, Ana Carolina maintains a rigorous training schedule combining speed work, technical development, and strength training.

Competition Strategy: Her racing schedule typically focuses on optimizing performance for major championships, with strategic domestic and international competitions building toward peak performance periods.

Recovery and Longevity: At 27, Ana Carolina is in the prime years for sprinting, with experience gained from multiple Olympic cycles providing the foundation for continued excellence.

Technical Analysis

100m Profile: Her 11.18 personal best demonstrates world-class speed, positioning her among the global elite and providing the foundation for her 200m success.

200m Excellence: Her 22.91 personal best represents exceptional curve running technique and speed endurance, making the 200m her signature event.

Versatility: Her ability to compete effectively from 60m indoors to 400m demonstrates exceptional range and adaptability.

Media and Recognition

National Recognition: Her selection as Best Female Athlete by the Brazilian Athletics Confederation reflects her standing as the country’s premier female track athlete.

International Profile: Regular coverage by international athletics media and inclusion in World Athletics rankings demonstrate her global recognition.

Future Prospects

Championship Potential: With current world rankings and continued improvement, Ana Carolina is positioned for:

• World Championship finals in both 100m and 200m
• Olympic medal contention
• South American record attempts

Brazilian Athletics Leadership: As the face of Brazilian sprinting, she plays a crucial role in the country’s athletics development and international competitiveness.

Career Specialties: 100m, 200m (primary), 60m, 4x100m relay
Training Base: NAR (Núcleo de Alto Rendimento), São Paulo, Brazil
Club: Esporte Clube Pinheiros
Coach: Katsuhico Nakaya
World Athletics Code: 14579558

Ana Carolina Azevedo represents the pinnacle of Brazilian sprinting excellence. Her journey from a energetic child in the São Paulo interior to Olympic competitor and South American champion embodies the power of talent development, expert coaching, and unwavering dedication. As she continues to compete at the highest levels and chase international medals, she serves as both a fierce competitor and an inspiration for the next generation of Brazilian athletes. Her technical excellence, consistent improvement, and leadership within Brazilian athletics position her as one of the most significant figures in contemporary South American sprinting.

Go Ana!