Dennis Connors
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| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | May 22, 1985[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home town | Beaverton, Oregon, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | University of Utah | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Para-cyclist, paraclimber | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Para-cycling, Paraclimbing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability | Ataxia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability class | T2 (Cycling), RP2 (Climbing) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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]
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] He competed in the road race T1–2 event and won a 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
- ^ a b "Dennis Connors". Paris 2024 Paralympics. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "Dennis Connors Wins His Third USA Climbing Para Climbing National Title". The Feed. March 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ Gowdy, Kristen (June 11, 2021). "Plat hammers home dominance on golden day for Dutch and Italians". uci.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Blanco, Annemarie (August 11, 2023). "Connors, Masters Strike Gold on First Day of Road Races". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gowdy, Kristen (July 8, 2024). "Thirteen Cyclists Selected to Represent Team USA at the 2024 Paralympic Games". usparacycling.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Luisa (August 27, 2024). "Here are the Oregon athletes competing in the 2024 Paralympic Games". KGW. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Winners of the 2022 USA Paraclimbing Nationals". Yahoo Sports. 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ "USA Climbing National Championships Results". USA Climbing. 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ 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.