Hi, I am Anja Renner, a passionate 38-year-old para-triathlete who was diagnosed with blindness 12 years ago. Within a year, I qualified for the Paralympic Games in Paris, even though I had no previous experience with para-sports. I now compete in triathlon races as part of a team with a guide. It is a remarkable 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.
With my determination and willpower, my dream of participating in the Paralympic Games quickly became a reality. Together with my guides, I worked my way up the world rankings. It was not easy getting there, but I overcame the obstacles and achieved my goal.
Since May 2023, I have been competing for the German national team in international competitions, including the World Triathlon Para Series, World Cups, and World and European Championships. I am part of the Paralympicskader (Paralympic Squad) and a proud member of the German Triathlon Union, Germany Paralympics team, and the 1. FC Nürnberg Schwimmen e.V. My training under the guidance of Tobias Haumann and Ute Schäfer is aimed at continuously improving my performance. I look forward to representing my country and my team at a high 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. Inspired by the biographies of blind athletes like Verena Bentele and Andy Holzer, I realized that para-sport could be my path. I set myself an ambitious goal: the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Time was of the essence - there were only 1.5 years left. I quickly found a coach, convinced the national coach of my potential, got myself a tandem, applied for a professional license, looked for a guide and got to grips with the anti-doping system. After just one year and nine international races with five victories, my dream of Paris was already a reality - unbelievable and overwhelming. Para sport has opened up a new world for me, which enriches me and from which I can learn a lot.
Birthday: 15.10.1994
Place of residence: Nuremberg and Munich
Profession: Dentist
Competitions: 1st and 2nd national league, middle and long distance
Birthday: 25.09.1995
Place of residence: Leipzig
Profession: Professional triathlete and primary school teacher
Competitions: 1st national league, middle distance
Exceptional triathletes and great personalities help me to achieve my goals. We overcome the challenges together through fun, teamwork, and ambition. The relationship between guide and athlete is something extraordinary because it is based on deep trust, mutual understanding, and precise communication 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. Since August 2023, Maria Paulig has been at my side as my primary guide, and I am delighted that we have realized the dream of Paris together with a lot of passion and and fun. I am also very grateful for Caroline Pohle, who has recently joined our team as an additional guide.
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
2023 - World Cup A Coruna/Spain
2023 - World Championship Pontevedra/Spain
2023 - World Triathlon Para Series Swansea/Wales
2023 - European Championship Madrid/Spain
4th place - Paris Qualification Ranking
5th place - World Ranking
Abu Dhabi/Arab Emirates
Devonport/Australia
Yenisehir/Turkey
Yokohama/Japan
Samarkand/Uzbekistan
Vigo/Spain
Taranto/Italy
Besancon/France
Swansea/Wales
Montreal/Canada
Tata/Hungary
Paris/France
Vichy/France
Alhandra/Portugal
Malaga/Spain
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 even more important? How to lead a fulfilling life despite a handicap? Many of these questions have stuck 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.
