1st place
2024 - World Triathlon Para Series Devonport/Australia
2023 - World Cup Alhandra/Portugal
2023 - World Cup Olympic Test Event Paris/France
2023 - Africa Cup Yasmine-Hammamet/Tunisia
2023 - Africa Cup Sharm El Sheikh/Egypt
Hello, I'm Anja Renner, a passionate para-triathlete and 38 years old. I was diagnosed with blindness 13 years ago. But I didn't let that stop me. Within a year, I qualified for the Paralympic Games in Paris, even though I had no previous experience with para-sports. I won the bronze medal there - an unforgettable moment in my sporting career. I do my triathlon races in a team with a guide - a special and inspiring experience that shows that you can often achieve more in a team than on your own.
At the age of 25, I was diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a disease that affects both hearing and eyesight. Born with a hearing impairment, I slowly lost my eyesight due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Today, I can only see about 10% of what most people can see. The diagnosis was a shock that pulled the rug out from under me. But I refused to give up. The progression of this incurable disease requires immense mental strength and constant adaptation to new realities. So, instead of holding on to the past, I have learned to make the best of the present, to be open to new paths, and to redefine my dreams.
Thanks to my determination and willpower, my dream of taking part in the Paralympic Games quickly became a reality. My guides and I have consistently worked our way up the world rankings. The road there was challenging, but I was able to overcome numerous hurdles – and as the crowning achievement, I won the bronze medal at the Paralympics together with my guide.
Since May 2023, I have been competing for the German national team and taking part in international competitions such as the World Triathlon Para Series, World Cups, and World and European Championships. I am part of the Paralympicskader (Paralympics Squad) and a proud member of the German Triathlon Union, the German Paralympics Team, and the 1. FC Nürnberg Schwimmen e.V. Under the guidance of Mario Schmidt-Wendling and Ute Schäfer, I am continuously working to improve my performance. It fills me with pride to represent my country and my team at the highest level.
I was born on 24 July 1986 in Neuburg an der Donau and live in Gmund am Tegernsee. Before getting into para-sport, I worked as a biotechnical engineer in cancer research for a pharmaceutical company. I have lived and loved sport since I was a child. Whether it was swimming, soccer, volleyball, or horse riding - as long as it was exercise. But at the age of 15, I decided to quit all sports except for horse riding. This was because I moved out of my parental home to study for my A-levels and then at university, and - alongside my academic studies - enjoyed the social life of a student in shared flats, the freedom, and backpacking trips to far-off countries.
I was 30 years old when I was inspired by my husband, who is a triathlon enthusiast, to get back into sports and switch from horseback to bicycle. Besides cycling, I also started running and swimming regularly. It was tough at the beginning, but I stuck with it and was able to improve quickly through consistent training. Despite my visual impairment, I started competing in Sprint and Olympic distances as an age-group athlete quite soon after I took up the sport, and I surprised myself by often finishing on the podium.
Four years later, in February 2023, I decided to get into para-sports. I had quit my job in cancer research and was ready for a new chapter. Taking inspiration from the biographies of blind athletes such as Verena Bentele and Andy Holzer, I realised that para-sport could be my path. I set myself an ambitious goal: the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Time was of the essence – with just 18 months to go. I quickly found a trainer, convinced the national coach of my potential, got myself a tandem, applied for a professional licence, looked for a guide, and familiarised myself with the anti-doping system. After just one year and nine international races with five victories, my dream of Paris had already become a reality – and I was even able to crown my dream of the Paralympics with a bronze medal. It was incredible and overwhelming. Parasport has opened up a new world for me, one that enriches me and from which I can learn a lot.
Following the successes of my short but intense career, I already have my next goals in mind: In the coming years, I am aiming to win a European and World Championship title and to achieve another podium finish at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Birthday: 15.10.1994
Place of residence: Nuremberg and Munich
Profession: Dentist
Competitions: 1st and 2nd national league, middle and long distance
Birthday: xxx
Place of residence: xxx
Occupation: xxx
Competitions: 1st national league, middle and long distance
Exceptional triathletes and great personalities help me to achieve my goals. Together we master the challenges with a lot of fun, teamwork and ambition. The relationship between guide and athlete is something very special because it is based on deep trust, mutual understanding and precise communication in order to achieve top performance as a unit.
I owe my first races and successes to Delia Blaess, who put her heart and soul into accompanying me on five international races until July 2023. Maria Paulig has been my main guide since August 2023, and I am delighted that we have realized the dream of Paris together with a lot of passion and fun.
I work hard and purposefully towards these successes. With dedication, passion, and the ambition to give my best, I am doing everything I can to realize my dream and win gold for my country. I also want to be a role model, inspiration, and motivation for people with and without disabilities and raise public awareness of para-sport.
2024 - World Triathlon Para Series Devonport/Australia
2023 - World Cup Alhandra/Portugal
2023 - World Cup Olympic Test Event Paris/France
2023 - Africa Cup Yasmine-Hammamet/Tunisia
2023 - Africa Cup Sharm El Sheikh/Egypt
2024 - European Championships Vichy/Spain
2024 - Paralympics Paris/France
2023 - World Cup A Coruna/Spain
2023 - World Championships Pontevedra/Spain
2023 - World Triathlon Para Series Swansea/Wales
2024 - World Championships Torremolinos/Spain
2023 - European Championships Madrid/Spain
4th place
Abu Dhabi/UAE
Devonport/Australia
Yokohama/Japan
Samarkand/Uzbekistan
Taranto/Italy
Besancon/France
Magog/Canada
Tata/Hungary
Montreal/Canada
Alhandra/Portugal
Wollongong/Australia
Optimal support and encouragement are the prerequisites for achieving top performance as a top athlete. Para-sport for the blind and visually impaired is not possible at a high-performance level without extensive financial, material, and, most importantly, personal support. To achieve top performance, I need to create an environment that allows me professional and targeted training. That is why I seek partners who will support me financially or materially so I can develop my full potential.
I invite you to be part of my journey. Your support can make a difference, not only for me but also for many others who will be inspired to never give up. In today’s world, it is more important than ever to be open and courageous for new paths and to recognize that great things can be achieved with determination and willpower. Together, we can show that true strength lies in the will to keep going and that teamwork enables us to achieve more than we could ever have imagined. Your support can make all the difference. Join us in sending a strong, inspiring message: Giving up is not an option.
Join my team and show your commitment to an inclusive and athletic future. Together, we can achieve more!
Every donation, big or small, brings me a step closer to my dream. Your generosity allows me to achieve my athletic goals and continue to serve as an inspiration to many. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust and support.
What does success mean? Why goals are important, but the journey is often even more important? How to lead a fulfilling life despite a handicap? Many of these questions have not only been with me for years. I am happy to share these experiences and my perspective on life as part of a personal coaching session, a lecture or a panel discussion.
Book a presentation for your company, customers or image event. Please contact me at info@anja-renner.com
Athletes in the Para-triathlon Visual Impairment (PTVI) are divided into three subclasses: B1 (completely blind or low light perception), B2 (more severe partial blindness), and B3 (less severe partial blindness).
All three sub-categories, B1, B2, and B3, are evaluated together, with the B1 athletes receiving a head start (2:41 min for men, 3:11 min for women).
Athletes must use a guide of the same gender and nationality throughout the race. In swimming and running, the guide must be connected by a strap. In cycling, the guide must be the pilot of the tandem bicycle.
