Melissa Tanner

Lore & Background

Melissa-Anne Tanner was born on 14 August 1973 at an Australian Army base in Singapore. She joined the Australian Airforce at age 18. In 2011, she broke her ankle, which led to the amputation of part of her left leg. In 2021, her left leg was fully amputated due to Complex regional pain syndrome. She was later diagnosed with Gastroparesis, which resulted in her being machine fed and having a Colostomy and Pej. Tanner earned a Full Blue at Griffith University while studying for a Bachelor of Laws and worked as the Director/owner of a Lin Andrews Real Estate franchise.

Following her amputation, she took up canoeing in 2014 and represented Australia at the RIO24 World Va'a Sprint Championships, winning six gold medals. A shoulder injury ended her dream of competing at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in para canoeing. After watching the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, she switched to para archery. She was selected for the 2023 World Para Archery Championships, where she finished 17th in the Women's Open Compound. At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she lost in the round of sixteen in the Women's individual compound open.

Reader's Guide

Melissa-Anne Tanner's career illustrates a transition from para canoeing to para archery after a shoulder injury prevented her from pursuing her Paralympic dream in canoeing. Her shift to archery, inspired by watching the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, led to her selection for the 2023 World Para Archery Championships and ultimately a place at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Though she did not advance past the round of sixteen in Paris, her participation marks a significant achievement in a sport she took up relatively recently. Her background includes military service, a law degree, and real estate business ownership, reflecting a diverse professional life alongside her athletic pursuits. Her story also highlights the impact of multiple medical conditions—including amputation, Complex regional pain syndrome, and Gastroparesis—on her path to elite sport.

Did You Know?

• Melissa-Anne Tanner was born on an Australian Army base in Singapore.
• She won six gold medals at the RIO24 World Va'a Sprint Championships in para canoeing.