Mandy Marchiano
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| Born | September 5, 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Virginia Commonwealth University | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wheelchair rugby | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Mandy Marchiano (born September 5, 1990) is an American wheelchair rugby player from Colonial Heights, Virginia.
Early life and education
Born in Colonial Heights, Virginia, Marchiano grew up being active and playing sports such as cheerleading, dancing, soccer and swimming.[1][2] On November 28, 2003, she was involved in a road accident while travelling in a van that left her hospitalized for several months and paralyzed from the chest down.[1][2] As a result of the accident, she also lost the use of her hands, prompting her to use specialized gloves when lifting weights and to move her wheelchair.[2] Marchiano attended Richard Bland College, where she earned her associate's degree, and later Virginia Commonwealth University, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry.[1]
Rugby career
Marchiano decided to take up parasports after watching the 2016 Summer Paralympics.[1][3] She came across Sportable in Richmond, where she tried out multiple sports before deciding to choose wheelchair rugby in 2017.[1][3] On the club level, she has played for the Sportable Possums.[4]
On January 11, 2025, Marchiano was officially named to the United States national wheelchair rugby team roster for the National Training Squad.[5] In July 2025, she was added to the U.S. squad that went on win gold at the 2025 Americas Championship that month.[6][7] In August 2026, she was part of the U.S. national team that won gold at the 2026 World Championship.[8][9]
Personal life
Outside wheelchair rugby, Marchiano works as a peer mentor at the United Spinal Association of Virginia.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Virginia woman thrives on thrill of competition: Adversities 'make you really tough'". WTVR. April 9, 2021.
- 1 2 3 "Paralysis doesn't stand in the way of Colonial Heights' Marchiano". WWBT. May 18, 2021.
- 1 2 "Mandy Marchiano". Team USA. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
- ↑ "In the Game". Richmond Magazine. July 3, 2022.
- ↑ "USAWR Announces 2025 Training Squad". USA Wheelchair Rugby. January 11, 2025.
- ↑ "USA Wheelchair Rugby USA Wheelchair Rugby Announces Roster for 2025 World Wheelchair Rugby Americas Championship". USA Wheelchair Rugby. July 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Gold Medal Finish for USA in 2025 WWR Americas Championship". USA Wheelchair Rugby. July 15, 2025.
- ↑ "USA Wheelchair Rugby Announce World Championship Roster". EIN Presswire. August 7, 2026.
- ↑ "U.S. wins first wheelchair rugby world title in 16 years". NBC Sports. August 23, 2026.
External links
- Mandy Marchiano at USA Wheelchair Rugby
- Mandy Marchiano at Team USA