Gianni Frankis

Gianni Joseph Frankis (born 16 April 1988) is a British born Italian former athlete who specialised in the sprint hurdles.

Biography Athletics career Frankis was born in Rochford, Essex and represented Great Britain at the 2009 World Championships without advancing from the first round. In addition, he won several medals at age-group competitions.

In 2016, he switched allegiance from Great Britain to Italy.

His personal bests are 13.54 seconds in the 110 metres hurdles (+2.0 m/s, Newham 2013) and 7.67 seconds in the 60 metres hurdles (Vienna 2013).

Football career Prior to focusing on athletics, Frankis played youth football for Benfleet, before making his first foray into senior football with Bowers & Pitsea at the age of 16, playing in the Essex Senior League. Frankis later played for Great Wakering Rovers and Heybridge Swifts, before focusing on athletics at the age of 18.

Frankis later returned to football, playing Essex Olympian League sides Rochford Town and Runwell Sports, before joining Rayleigh Town, helping the club gain promotion from the Essex Olympian League in 2024, scoring 20 goals in all competitions in the process. During the 2024–25 season, Frankis played for Benfleet and Runwell Sports.

International competitions