Anna Grimaldi

Anna Kate Grimaldi is a New Zealand para-athlete who competes in the T47 classification, specializing in the long jump and sprint events. She is one of her country's most decorated Paralympians, with two gold medals from consecutive Games.

Grimaldi's dominance in the women's long jump T47 has made her a household name in New Zealand sport. She took gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and defended the title in Tokyo in 2021, becoming the first Kiwi woman to win back-to-back golds in that event. Her explosive speed also translates to the track, where she has proven herself a medal contender.

Beyond her medals, Grimaldi is an advocate for disability inclusion and a vocal proponent of using advanced technology in para-sport. She works with engineers to develop custom 3D-printed prosthetics that enhance her performance, and she frequently visits schools to inspire young people with disabilities. Her warmth and determination have earned her a devoted following. [edit]

Anna Grimaldi was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, on February 12, 1997. When she was just six months old, she contracted meningitis, which led to the amputation of her left leg below the knee. Growing up in Dunedin, she was an active child, participating in school sports and local club athletics.

Initially, she competed in able-bodied events, but as she got older, the physical demands of running with a prosthetic became challenging. She transitioned to para-athletics, where she found her calling in the long jump and sprinting. Early training was tough; her prosthetic caused discomfort during weightlifting sessions, so she worked with engineers to design personalized 3D-printed equipment that improved her biomechanics and reduced pain.

Her breakthrough came in 2016 when she was selected for the Rio Paralympics at just 19. She had been competing internationally for a few years, but Rio was her first major Games. The experience was a steep learning curve, but it set the stage for her rise to the top of her sport. [edit]

Anna Grimaldi's career is defined by her two Paralympic gold medals in the women's long jump T47. At the 2016 Rio Games, she leaped to gold, becoming the youngest member of the New Zealand para-athletics team. She repeated the feat at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics (held in 2021), cementing her status as a champion.

Between those Games, she won bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, proving her versatility. In 2024, she competed in the 200m at the Paris Paralympics, though her focus remained on the long jump. She also competed at the World Para Athletics Championships, consistently finishing on the podium.

In July 2026, Grimaldi achieved a childhood dream by winning a bronze medal in the 100m T47 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, clocking 12.46 seconds. She was the sole Kiwi athlete at the London Diamond League earlier that year, using the meet to gain exposure for para-athletics. She continues to compete at the highest level, with her sights set on future international events. [edit]

Anna Grimaldi is admired for her resilience and positive attitude. She is seen as a role model for young athletes, especially those with disabilities. Her public image is that of a dedicated and humble competitor who lets her performances speak for themselves.

On social media, she shares her training regimen, race results, and motivational messages, engaging with fans who appreciate her authenticity. She is also an advocate for disability inclusion in sport, using her platform to raise awareness.

Media coverage often highlights her pioneering use of 3D-printed prosthetics, positioning her as an innovator in para-sport. Her ability to balance elite competition with community engagement has made her a beloved figure in New Zealand. [edit]

Anna Grimaldi commands a distinct place in New Zealand's sporting landscape, where her reputation is built on the quiet intensity of elite performance rather than the spectacle of celebrity culture. Her audience consists largely of sports enthusiasts, disability advocates, and young athletes who follow her journey with genuine admiration for her resilience. While she maintains a strong social media presence with thousands of followers on Instagram and Facebook, there is no organized fandom structure, collective name, or ritualistic campaigns associated with her name; fans simply support an athlete they deeply respect. The public narrative surrounding her focuses on verified achievements like her triple Paralympic gold status and her innovative use of 3D-printed prosthetics, rather than viral entertainment moments or fan-driven legends. Unlike pop stars whose supporters engage in chart pushes or billboard drives, Grimaldi's community celebrates her athletic milestones and her advocacy work through organic engagement and national recognition. iFANN has evaluated her global standing and found that she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. Consequently, Anna Grimaldi is not ranked within the Global Top 1,000 most famous people worldwide, nor does she appear on any specific scope list such as the Top-100 for athletics or New Zealand celebrities. This absence from the leaderboard reflects her status as a highly respected specialist in her field rather than a mainstream global icon.[edit]

Anna Grimaldi is celebrated for her down-to-earth personality and frequently visits schools to inspire young people with disabilities. She made history as the first New Zealand woman to win gold in the T47 long jump at consecutive Paralympic Games, a feat she achieved in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Her career took a dramatic turn when she overcame significant injury struggles before defending her title in Tokyo, a comeback story that highlights her immense personal growth and determination. In 2019, she became a pioneer in adaptive technology by working with GE Additive to develop custom 3D-printed training equipment and prosthetics that enhanced both her comfort and performance. Despite her elite status, she remains humble, often crediting her support team for her success. A notable recent chapter in her legacy occurred when she was selected for the New Zealand team at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, fulfilling a childhood dream she had held since youth. This selection marked her debut at the Commonwealth Games despite her previous accolades as a triple Paralympic champion. Her social media handles @annakategrimaldi on Instagram and Anna Grimaldi - Athlete on Facebook allow fans to track her training updates and motivational messages directly. These documented moments of triumph and innovation form the core of her enduring legacy in sport.[edit]

Anna Grimaldi was born to parents who have supported her athletic career from the start. Her family lives in Dunedin, where she grew up with her siblings. She has spoken about the importance of her family's encouragement in helping her overcome the challenges of her amputation.

As of 2026, Grimaldi is single and lives in Dunedin, close to her family. She has no children. She is known to be close to her parents and often spends time with them when she is not training or competing. Her family has been a constant source of strength throughout her career. [edit]

Anna Grimaldi is associated with fellow para-athletes Sheriauna Haase of Canada, who beat her in the 100m at Glasgow 2026, and New Zealand teammates Ben Sandilands and Abdul Latif Romly. She has also worked with engineers from GE Additive on 3D-printed prosthetics. [edit]

Anna Grimaldi keeps her personal life private, and there are no confirmed reports of romantic relationships in credible sources up to 2026. She has never been married or engaged, and she has no children.

Her social media focuses on athletics and advocacy, not romance. As of 2026, she is reportedly single, with no public statements about a partner. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Anna Grimaldi's net worth is estimated at $1 Million as of 2026. Her income stream is anchored by government grants distributed through Sport New Zealand, alongside strategic sponsorships with prosthetic manufacturers and major sports brands. Appearance fees for speaking engagements further supplement her earnings, reflecting her value as a public figure beyond the track. Unlike mainstream celebrities who secure massive commercial contracts, para-athletes in New Zealand typically operate with more modest financial structures. Grimaldi's financial profile benefits significantly from her advocacy work and partnerships with technology companies like GE Additive, which collaborated on her custom prosthetics. Her net worth has grown steadily over the years as her dominance on the track elevated her profile, unlocking new sponsorship opportunities. She has not publicly disclosed any real estate investments or business ventures outside of her athletic career and related endorsements.[edit]

Anna Grimaldi has won two Paralympic gold medals, a Commonwealth Games bronze, and multiple national titles. She was named New Zealand Paralympian of the Year and appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport. [edit]