Tanner Wright (born August 24, 1997) is an American T47 Paralympic sprint runner.

Tanner Wright
Personal information
Born (1997-08-24) August 24, 1997 (age 27)
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
EducationMcMurry University
Hardin–Simmons University
Sport
SportPara-athletics
DisabilityArthrogryposis
Disability classT47
EventSprints
Medal record
Para-athletics
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2023 Paris 400 m T47
Parapan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2019 Lima Long jump T47

Early life and education

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Wright attended North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas where he played football and ran track and field. He then attended McMurry University where he played football and ran track and field.[1] During his freshman season in 2016, he tied McMurry's single game program record by going 9-for-9 on PAT kicks in a game against Texas College He also had a season record 35-consecutive PAT kicks. During his sophomore year in 2017, he appeared in seven games, before suffering a season ending leg injury.[2] He was named McMurry's Comeback Player of the Year in 2018.[3] He transferred to Hardin-Simmons University. during his junior year. During the American Southwest Conference track and field Championship, he finished in second place with a program record of 23 feet 2 ½ inches in the long jump.[4]

Career

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Wright made his international debut for the United States at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, and finished in fourth place in the 100 metres and 200 metres T47 events.[5][6]

In August 2019, Wright represented the United States at the 2019 Parapan American Games and won a silver medal in the long jump T47 event.[7][8] In November 2019, he then competed at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships.[9]

On June 24, 2021, he was named to Team USA's roster for the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[10][11] He competed in the 100 metres and 400 metres T47 events. He finished in fourth place in the 400 metres with a personal best time of 49.36.[12][13]

On May 21, 2023, Wright was selected to represent the United States at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships.[14] In July 2023, he competed at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships and won a silver medal in the 400 metres T47 event.[15] In November 2023, he then competed at the 2023 Parapan American Games and finished in fourth place in the 100 metres T47 event.[16]

In July 2024, during the U.S. Paralympic team trials, he qualified to represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.[17]

Personal life

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Wright was born to Terry and Jessica Wright. He was born with Arthrogryposis, which resulted in an underdeveloped left arm. Arthrogryposis is normally a congenital joint contracture in two or more areas of the body. Wright is the only recorded case in medical history of arthrogryposis in one arm.[18]

References

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  1. ^ David, Marc (January 11, 2017). "Deformed arm doesn't deter McMurry kicker, runner Wright". Abilene Reporter-News. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Tanner Wright". mcmurrysports.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Beyer, Dave (May 2, 2018). "War Hawks Feted at 2018 Wally's". mcmurrysports.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Neptune, Felicity (August 9, 2019). "Tanner Wright represents Hardin-Simmons as Paralympian". hsutx.edu. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Moore, Lela (May 31, 2022). "Tanner Wright's Road To Paris 2024 Started Earlier This Month In The Desert". usparatf.org. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  6. ^ Beyer, Dave (July 22, 2017). "Wright Adds a 4th in 200 at the World Para Athletics Championships". mcmurrysports.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Mantas, Nick (July 27, 2019). "HSU's Tanner Wright to run at ParaPan-Am Games in Peru". KTXS-TV. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Eisenberg, Josh (August 27, 2019). "Exciting Moment". sportsnspokes.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Tanner Wright". teamusa.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Lieberman, Stuart (June 24, 2021). "Meet The U.S. Paralympic Men's Track And Field Team For Tokyo". teamusa.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Paralympian Tanner Wright Is Tokyo-Bound". scottishriteforchildren.org. July 23, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Wood, Andrew (September 4, 2021). "Abilene's Tanner Wright finishes fourth at Tokyo Paralympics". KCBD. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Chamberlain, Miriam (September 19, 2021). "Hardin-Simmons University's Tanner Wright returns home from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics". bigcountryhomepage.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Gowdy, Kristen (May 21, 2023). "Forty-Five Athletes Selected To Represent Team USA At 2023 World Para Athletics Championships". teamusa.org. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Jean-Paul, Mason golden on final day of 2023 World Para Athletics Championships". highlandcountypress.com. July 18, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  16. ^ Hanlon, Luke (November 19, 2023). "Five Athletes To Watch At The Parapan American Games". usparatf.org. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  17. ^ Gowdy, Kristen (July 21, 2024). "Fifty-four Athletes Nominated to U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team". usparatf.org. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  18. ^ Neptune, Felicity (August 27, 2019). "Athlete with disability represents HSU in international contest". The Baptist Standard. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
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