Dennis Connors

Last updated

Dennis Connors
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1985-05-22) May 22, 1985 (age 39) [1]
Home town Beaverton, Oregon, U.S.
Education University of Utah
Occupation(s) Para-cyclist, paraclimber, Motivational speaker
Sport
Sport Para-cycling, Paraclimbing
Disability Ataxia
Disability class T2 (Cycling), RP2 (Climbing)
Medal record
Men's Para-cycling and Paraclimbing
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Paralympic Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2024 Paris Road race T1–2
Road World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Glasgow Road race T2
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2024 Zurich Road race T2
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Baie-Comeau Road race T2
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2021 Cascais Time trial T2
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg2024 ZurichTime trial T2
Parapan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Santiago Road race T1–2
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2023 Santiago Mixed time trial T1–2
USA Climbing Para National Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2022 USAC NationalsRP2 category
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2024 USAC NationalsRP2 category

Dennis Connors (born May 22, 1985) is an American para-cyclist and para-climber. He has won multiple national and international medals in para-cycling, including a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Paralympics. In addition to cycling, he is a three-time USA Climbing Para National Champion. [2]

Contents

Career

Para-cycling

Connors made his international debut for the United States at the 2021 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships and won a bronze medal in the road race T2 event. [3] He again represented the United States at the 2022 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships and won a silver medal in the road race T2 event. [4]

In August 2023, he represented the United States at the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships and won a gold medal in the road race T2 event. [5] [6] In November 2023, he represented the United States at the 2023 Parapan American Games and won a gold medal in the road race T1–2 and a silver medal in the mixed road time trial T1–2 event. [7] [8]

2024 Summer Paralympics

On July 8, 2024, Connors qualified to represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Paralympics. [9] [10]

In September 2024, Connors represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris. He competed in the men’s road race T1–2 event and won the silver medal. [11]

Para-climbing

In addition to his success in para-cycling, Connors is an accomplished para-climber. He has competed in multiple national championships and international competitions in the Men’s RP2 category, which includes athletes with impairments affecting two limbs. [12] [13]

In March 2025, he won his third USA Climbing Para National Championship, securing a spot on the U.S. National Para-Climbing Team. His victory qualified him to represent Team USA at the 2025 Paraclimbing World Cups and the 2025 Combined Able-bodied and Para World Championship in Seoul, South Korea. [2]

Personal life

Connors was a member of the United States Marine Corps as a linguist from 2003 to 2012. [1] He served three deployments to Iraq, and sustained multiple traumatic brain injuries causing ataxia. In 2020, he suffered a stroke, which reduced the mobility in his left side. [14]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dennis Connors". Paris 2024 Paralympics . Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Dennis Connors Wins His Third USA Climbing Para Climbing National Title". The Feed. March 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  3. ↑ Gowdy, Kristen (June 11, 2021). "Plat hammers home dominance on golden day for Dutch and Italians". uci.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  4. ↑ Gowdy, Kristen (July 21, 2022). "World Championships team named as U.S. Paralympics Cycling prepares for road Para-cycling season finale". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  5. ↑ Gowdy, Kristen (June 26, 2023). "Twenty-two road cyclists set to represent U.S. at 2023 Para-Cycling World Championships". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  6. ↑ Blanco, Annemarie (August 11, 2023). "Connors, Masters Strike Gold on First Day of Road Races". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ Ledermann, Heidi (November 26, 2023). "Team USA closes out the Parapan American Games with podium sweep and five additional medals". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  8. ↑ Bowker, Paul D. (November 18, 2023). "Parapan American Games Shape Up As Paris 2024 Rehearsal for U.S. Cyclists". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  9. ↑ Gowdy, Kristen (July 8, 2024). "Thirteen Cyclists Selected to Represent Team USA at the 2024 Paralympic Games". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  10. ↑ Anderson, Luisa (August 27, 2024). "Here are the Oregon athletes competing in the 2024 Paralympic Games". KGW . Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Dennis Connors Claims Silver in the Men's Road Race T1-2 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games". Team USA. September 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Winners of the 2022 USA Paraclimbing Nationals". Yahoo Sports. 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  13. ↑ "USA Climbing National Championships Results". USA Climbing. 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  14. ↑ Evanson, Wade (July 30, 2024). "Beaverton's Dennis Connors has turned tragedy into triumph in his life beyond the armed forces". News-Times . Retrieved August 27, 2024.
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