Amanda Dennis

Amanda Dennis could not help the US women’s goalball team retain the World Championships title from 2014 in Malmo, Sweden, in 2018. They were knocked out of the competition by Paralympic champions Turkey in the quarter finals.

The USA had already taken a step backwards at the 2017 Americas Championships, where they lost 4-3 to Brazil in the semi-finals and could only seal bronze after beating Mexico 10-0.

But they have always been a force to be reckoned with, especially in recent years, led by Amanda Dennis.

She made her debut at a major international competition when she was called up to the national team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. But they were eliminated in the quarter finals by China and missed the Paralympic podium for the first time in 12 years.

They bounced back two years later, as Dennis helped her team win gold at the World Championships in Espoo, Finland, leading the USA scoring with 13.

In 2015, she again was a key member of the US team that reached the final at the Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada. Unfortunately for her, the USA had to settle for silver as Brazil claimed a 7-6 victory to take the gold. Dennis scored one goal and blocked nine shots.

At Rio 2016, the US women’s team aimed at putting an end to their medal drought at Paralympic Games. And they did with Dennis as the driving force.

An all-around performer, Dennis’ strong offensive game helped the USA finish third following a hard-fought 3-2 victory over hosts Brazil in the bronze medal match.

Dennis started playing goalball at seven years old at a sport education camp hosted by Blaze Sports in Atlanta, USA. During her free time, she enjoys anything outdoors, reading books and any type of sport.