Júlio Otávio Miranda da Silva, a 35-year-old Brazilian known on social media as Julio Mamute, completed the 10-kilometer Cursa de Bombers in Barcelona on November 8, 2026.
The achievement marks a significant milestone in a years-long recovery for a man who, during the pandemic, weighed over 310 kilograms and spent nearly two years largely bedridden.
A recovery from physical immobility
At his lowest point, Mamute faced severe mobility issues that left him unable to walk or leave his home. His condition was so critical that he required medical assistance to breathe while sleeping. According to reports, he began his transformation by modifying his diet and incorporating physical activity, starting with exercises in a swimming pool where movement was less strenuous.
Through these changes, Mamute has lost more than 120 kilograms. He credits the gradual return of his mobility to consistent, small adjustments in his daily habits, eventually allowing him to transition from water-based therapy to land-based endurance training.
Finishing the Cursa de Bombers
Mamute crossed the finish line of the Barcelona race in approximately two hours and five minutes. He told laSexta that his focus was not on speed or race times, but on the act of participating after years of being confined to his room.
“I lived on a bed.” “I am here walking,” Mamute said in an interview broadcast on Instagram.
The choice to run in Barcelona held personal significance beyond the physical challenge. His late father, a great admirer of Julio Iglesias, had always dreamed of visiting Spain and chose the name “Julio” for his son. Mamute viewed his participation in the Barcelona event as an opportunity to pay tribute to his father’s memory.
Mamute aims to drop below 100 kilograms
Mamute aims to continue his health journey with the goal of dropping below 100 kilograms. He said that he intends to keep participating in international races and sharing his progress online, hoping his experience serves as an inspiration for others facing difficult life transitions.
“If a person is watching this now, taking the decision to change their life is already enough,” Mamute said. He advocates for a philosophy of valuing small, incremental progress rather than focusing exclusively on immediate results.
Worth a look
