Dennis Connors

Dennis Connors
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1985-05-22) May 22, 1985[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

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]

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]

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

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

  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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