Anu Francis

Anu Francis
Francis at the 2024 Summer Paralympics
Personal information
NationalityAustralian
Born (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 (age 29)
Sport
SportParatriathlon
Medal record
Women's paratriathlon
Representing  Australia
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2023 Ponteverde PTS2
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Abu Dhabi PTS2

Anu Francis (born 15 September 1995) is an Australian para-triathlete. She competed at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.[1]

Personal life

Francis was born on 15 September 1995.[2] In 2017, she was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Dopa-Responsive Dystonia .[3][4] Her disability has a variety of impairments, including hypertonia, involuntary muscle movements and gait abnormalities.[5] In 2017, she graduated with Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) at University of Adelaide.[3] Due to her disability, she was denied undertaking a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.[3] She completed a double bachelor's degree of Secondary and Special Education at Flinders University in 2022.[3] In 2024, she is undertaking a Bachelor of Exercise Science at Flinders University.[5]

Francis is a part of the LGBTQ+ community.[6]

Paratriathlon

Francis participated in para-badminton and para-rowing at a national level and just missed out on being selected for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics rowing team. Francis is classified as PTS2 triathlete. Her first triathlon was at the National Championships in 2021. Since 2022, she has regularly finished in the top two in major international Women's PTS2 events. Francis won the Paris Paralympics test event in 2023 and is ranked number two leading into the 2024 Paris Paralympics.[7] At the 2024 Summer Paralympics, she finished fourth in the Women's PTS2.[8]

Her coach is Chris Rawling, a former professional triathlete and lecturer at Flinders University.[5]

Recognition

  • Pippa Downes Pinnacle Scholarship[3]

References

  1. ^ "Paralympics Australia Announces Powerful Triathlon Team For Paris 2024 | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Anu Francis | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 20 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e Lai, Tim (30 November 2020). "Anu Francis". Pinnacle Foundation. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  4. ^ Betten, Sam (1 November 2023). "Pursuit of Paris with Anu Francis – powered by deboer". AusTriathlon. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Desk (9 April 2024). "Elite athlete program propels Anu Francis towards Paralympic dream". Flinders University News. Retrieved 20 July 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ Schultz, Ken. "Gay Paralympian perseveres through two rare diagnoses". OutSports. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  7. ^ Triathlon, World. "Results: Anu Francis (AUS)". World Triathlon. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Mission Complete For Seine-sational Parker | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.