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Now, after three Paralympic Games, multiple world championship medals and years spent inspiring New Zealanders on the global stage, the Dunedin sprinter and long jumper is preparing for something entirely new - her first Commonwealth Games appearance at Glasgow 2026.
“I kind of just came to terms with the fact that ‘I’m just not gonna get to go’. Now it’s letting myself realise, oh no, you are getting to go, it is real, you are going to be competing in Glasgow.”
A three-time Paralympic gold medallist, Anna has become one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most celebrated Para athletes, earning medals across sprinting and long jump while consistently performing on the world stage.
Born without her right hand, Anna discovered her love for sport growing up in Dunedin, playing netball and basketball before Para athletics opened a pathway that would ultimately shape her future.
Her rise began after attending a Paralympics New Zealand Talent Identification camp in 2013, before making an international breakthrough with bronze at the 2015 World Para Athletics Championships.
Just a year later, aged 19, she stunned the world by winning Paralympic gold in the Women’s Long Jump T47 at Rio 2016 with a personal best leap in the final round.
Success followed success.
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She defended her Paralympic title in Tokyo, setting a Paralympic record in the process, before expanding her programme onto the track in recent years with medals in the 100m and 200m at World Championships and Paralympic level.
But despite all she has achieved, Glasgow presents a different kind of milestone.
“This is gonna be my first pinnacle event where all of my Para athletics family isn’t going to be there,” she said. “It’s going to be a new experience but I’m really excited.”
Anna will line up in the Women’s 100m T47 as part of an integrated New Zealand Team - something she says carries special significance.
“I never thought I’d even have this opportunity to be on the NZ Team for an event like the Commonwealth Games."
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That opportunity means more than just another international competition.
For Grimaldi, it represents visibility for future generations of young athletes growing up with disabilities - especially those who may never have seen someone who looks like them competing on one of sport’s biggest stages.
“People might take inspiration from what you do and I think this is another amazing avenue that maybe captures some more people that haven’t seen me compete before at the Games or World Championships,” she said.
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Twelve years into her elite career, Anna is still finding new experiences and fresh motivation.
“Getting to be on the team with the likes of Eliza McCartney would be pretty cool. I got to watch her win her medal in Rio while I was preparing for my own campaign, and our team took a lot of inspiration from her.”
Even with all her experience, Grimaldi admits there is still excitement and nerves heading into another major Games campaign.
“I am nervous for a new challenge and the unexpected in a way, but I am also excited because it’s a privilege to even have these experiences.”
As Glasgow 2026 approaches, Grimaldi says she has learned to embrace every part of the journey, not just the moments on the track.
“That's been the best part of the last couple of campaigns - really leaning into what can I get out of this experience.”
And after once believing this opportunity would never come, Anna Grimaldi is ready to make the most of every moment.
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