Debbie Tanner

Debbie Stella Tanner (now Hansen; born 8 October 1982 in Auckland) is a triathlete from New Zealand, who placed fourth at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, and competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Biography Tanner started out her sporting career at the age of eleven in the Weetbix Triathlon, and had won national and secondary school titles in swimming, cycling, running and triathlon. By age fifteen, she received the honours award for her recognition in academics and sports, and was made deputy head prefect and school sports captain in her final year. Tanner eventually attended the University of Auckland, where she completed her bachelor's degree in Sport Science and Recreation. Tanner's sister, Nikki Jean qualified for the women's backstroke swimming at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Despite her sudden and disappointing result, Tanner recaptured her success and triumph at the ITU World Triathlon Cup in the same year, as she clinched her major international title in Ishigaki. Following her first triumph, Tanner continued to stand on the podiums at World Cup events, by obtaining the silver in Hamburg, and three bronze medals at different locations across Europe and Asia. In addition to her five World Cup medals, Tanner had achieved nine more finishes in the top ten position. On 20 October 2012, Tanner announced her retirement in triathlon, following the women's event at the Barfoot & Thompson World Triathlon Grand Final in Auckland.