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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dennis Connors
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1985-05-22) May 22, 1985 (age 41)[1]
Home townBeaverton, Oregon, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Utah
Sport
SportPara-cycling, Paraclimbing
DisabilityAtaxia
T2 (Cycling), RP2 (Climbing)
Medal record
Men's Para-cycling
Representing the  United States
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place2024 ParisRoad race T1–2
Road World Championships
Gold medal – first place2023 GlasgowRoad race T2
Gold medal – first place2024 ZurichRoad race T2
Silver medal – second place2022 Baie-ComeauRoad race T2
Bronze medal – third place2021 CascaisTime trial T2
Bronze medal – third place2024 ZurichTime trial T2
Parapan American Games
Gold medal – first place2023 SantiagoRoad race T1–2
Silver medal – second place2023 SantiagoMixed time trial T1–2

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

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Para-cycling

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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]

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

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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]

A lifelong climber, Connors was a member of the able-bodied U.S. Junior Climbing Team before his military career.[14] With sport climbing added to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games program, Connors has expressed his goal of making the U.S. Paralympic climbing team.[14]

Personal life

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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.[15][16] He has said he took up cycling in part to help manage post-traumatic stress disorder, and that he had at times considered suicide.[17][15][18]

Connors lives in Beaverton, Oregon, with his wife, Krista, and their two children. The family spends time outdoors together, including biking, kayaking, climbing and skiing in Bend and Lake Tahoe.[14]

References

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  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. 1 2 3 "Dennis Connors". USA Cycling. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  15. 1 2 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.
  16. Connell, Jordan (June 13, 2024). "'You just have to adapt': U.S. veteran Dennis Connors reflects on his journey". binghamtonhomepage.com. WBGH-CD. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  17. Evanson, Wade (July 23, 2024). "Beaverton's Dennis Connors has turned tragedy into triumph in his life beyond the armed forces". Portland Tribune.
  18. Connell, Jordan (June 13, 2024). "'You just have to adapt': U.S. veteran Dennis Connors reflects on his journey". binghamtonhomepage.com. WBGH-CD. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
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