Vegans Thriving. Elite Vegan Athletes
Ana Cufer is recognised as a world class runner in one of the most demanding of disciplines – mountain running.
The Slovenian is established member of the national team and has represented her country in international events. In 2016 she began to make a significant impression on the sport with three course records among 12 wins. Read More... “Ana Cufer, vegan mountain runner”
Massimo Leopardi is known as someone who has worked hard to promote veganism in Italy through education – and by example as an internationally competitive athlete.
Unlike many athletes who have been active in a sport since childhood, Massimo started training in diving at age 49. Read More... “Massimo Leopardi, vegan diver”
Fia Kamlund has built up some amazing strength to bring her success in powerlifting. Competing in the 84kg category in both raw and equipped categories she has achieved a 430 kg raw total in competion and 512.5kg equipped.
These international level totals have brought her success in her home nation of Sweden, where she is national champion in equipped lifting. Read More... “Fia Kamlund, vegan powerlifter”
Kim Best has taken on the challenging and at times brutal sport of strongwoman with determination. She has quickly made an impression. She lives in Scotland, home of the Highland Games.
Competing in her debut competition at Scotland’s Strongest Woman 2018 Kim developed a taste for the sport. Read More... “Kim Best, vegan strongwoman”
Diana Taurasi is a national and international women’s basketball player who has achieved amazing things across a fulfilling career.
At 37 (in 2020) she plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women’s National Basketball Association (USA). She has won three Championships, one WNBA Most Valuable Player Award, two WNBA Finals MVP Awards and four Olympic Gold medals. Read More... “Diana Taurasi, vegan basketball player”
Hege Jenssen is a pro-level kettlebell competitor who has competed in her native Norway as well as in international competition. She’s done particularly well in Snatch, and on her debut in the professional class took 5th at the World Championships. Read More... “Hege Jenssen, vegan kettlebell athlete”
Sahyuri (Sahy) Lalime is an accomplished Belgian powerlifter with Japanese-American roots, She has competed nationally and internationally, achieving fantastic totals.
In 2018 and 2019 she won best overall female powerlifter at the Belgian Nationals. She has also competed at the IPF World and European Championships. Read More... “Sahy Lalime, vegan powerlifter”
Adam is one of the most respected spin bowlers of his generation, representing South Australia and the Australian National team. He’s also had success in the 20 Twenty format in some of the most competitive competitions on the globe. Adam played with Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder, and went on to take a highly contested place in the Indian Premier League. Read More... “Adam Zampa, vegan cricketer”
Belgian Mountain Biker Frans Claes competes nationally and internationally, and is established as a leading biker in his sport.
He has been Belgian Champion twice (2015 and 2016) and was the overall winner at the UCI World Series Marathon in 2017. Read More... “Frans Claes, vegan mountain biker”
Sofia Jokl is an experienced competitor in Japanese Ju-Jitsu, competing in the Duo-System at European and World level.
The Duo system involves pairs of competitors demonstrating self defence against attacks randomly called by a referee. Speed, realism, control and power are among the qualities judged. Read More... “Sofia Jokl, vegan Ju-Jitsu expert”
Melissa Sundermann, has been competing in cycling, running and multisport events – completing epic distances at elite times.
She was the first Amateur woman at the REV3 Ironman triathlon where she finished with a personal best of 10:57:20, crossing the line with her husband and children. Read More... “Melissa Sundermann, vegan endurance racer”
Shelli Beecher-Seitzler is a natural bodybuilder who has made an impressive impact on the sport in a short time.
After several people suggested she compete, she started training six days a week with the aim of competing. After five months she entered the 2018 INBF NW Royal Natural Bodybuilding Championship. Read More... “Shelli Beecher-Seitzler, vegan bodybuilder”
Borja Ignacio Perez Batet is a multisport athlete from Spain who competes internationally. He’s competed in the European and World Duathlon Championships, taking the 30-34 age group World title in 2016.
Borja has also run 10k in an extremely competitive 29:25. Read More... “Borja Perez Batet, vegan runner”
Chris Smalling has become a hot property in soccer. The English centre back played for the world famous Manchester United in the English Premier League. He’s also been picked for the English national team, and now represents Porto.
He signed for United in 2010 aged 21 and has helped the club towards the FA Cup (2016), Europe League title (2016-7) and an English league title (2016-7). Read More... “Chris Smalling, vegan footballer”
Andreas Vojta is an Austrian track athlete who has become the leading national track runner as well as a successful international competitor.
He has personal bests of 3:36 for the 1500 metres, 13.38 for 5000m and 28:33 for the 10,000 metres. Read More... “Andreas Vojta, vegan runner”
Zack Belknap is a pro-card holding bodybuilder and NASM certified personal trainer and from Eugene, Oregon. He has been awarded a WNBF Pro Card after impressive performances at regional level.
“My greatest achievements in bodybuilding have been winning my pro card in September 2018 and then winning my first pro show in April 2019” Zack tells us. Read More... “Zack Belknap, vegan bodybuilder”
Adam is a veteran cyclist who has travelled the world to participate in the top cycling events.
In 2003 the Australian competed in two tours and one classic, and by mid 2019 he had completed 28 grand tours and 12 classics. Read More... “Adam Hansen, vegan cyclist”
Nick Squires is an accomplished powerlifter who competes in the raw divisions in California, USA and internationally.
He’s taken overall first in the LA Open, and Conejo Valley Open and category first in the RAF Open. Read More... “Nick Squires, vegan powerlifter”
Dean Maher recently stood on the top of Everest having planned to do it a year later and changing plans. It marked the culmination of some extreme fitness training,
The summiting of Everest is one of the greatest achievement in mountaineering, and was part of Dean’s fourth trip to the Himalayas. Read More... “Dean Maher, vegan mountaineer”
Bryant Jennings is one of the leading heavyweight boxers in the world, with an impressive international record including two title challenges.
At school he played American football and basketball and competed in the 200 metres and shot put. Read More... “Bryant Jennings, vegan boxer”
Jehina has been competing in bodybuilding since age 19. She is now
In 2013 she won first place in women’s physique and first overall at the NPC Eastern USA Bodybuilding Championship. In 2014 at her first international show, Team Universe, she was awarded a Pro Card by IFBB. Read More... “Jehina Malik, vegan bodybuilder”
Maayan Eliasi is an Israeli bodybuilder who has broken into international competition and won her Pro Card.
In 2018 she won 1st place in the Israeli national NABBA Bikini division Over 30 category. Soon afterwards she won the WNBF Israel in fit body category and overall fit body and received the WNBF Pro Athlete card. Read More... “Maayan Eliasi, vegan bodybuilder”
Kelly Colobella is known for her strength and fitness. She’s played in women’s semi-professional (full tackle) American football since 2000. In that time Kelly has become a key team member of Utah Falconz, who play in the US National League. She’s played a part in contending for the National Championship four times, winning twice. Read More... “Kelly Colobella, vegan American Footballer”
Natural Bodybuilder SuzAnne Llano started training seriously in 2009. Since then she’s entered over twenty competitions, taking wins and podium places. She’s won the elite accolade of a Pro Card in three federations: the NGA, ANBF and NFF.
From early years SuzAnne was athletic, enjoying soccer and then turning to ballet. Read More... “SuzAnne Llano, vegan bodybuilder”
Kuntal is an Indian mountaineer who has pushed the boundaries in his sport with some amazing climbs.
In October 2014 he climbed Mount Manaslu, which at 8163 metres is the eighth highest mountain in the world. In May 2016 he went on to climb Everest, which he tackled from the South side. Read More... “Kuntal Joisher, vegan mountaineer”
Coming to powerlifting relatively late in life has not stopped Glenda Presutti from taking the sport by storm and rapidly emerging as a force recognised nationally and beyond.
It’s not been easy, the 62 year old (in 2018) registered nurse has overcome numerous injuries. Read More... “Glenda Presutti, vegan powerlifter”
Paolo is an Italian cyclist known for his long distance cycling events. He competes in mountain biking and loves races of up to 24 hours.
In 2016 Paolo placed second in 24 hour Barbano Vicentino and took third in the Bellaria Igea Marina, also a 24 hour event. Read More... “Paolo Barbon, vegan cyclist”
Marc-Olivier Brouillette is an American Football player who played in the Canadian National Football League. Playing as a Linebacker or Safety, the 185 cm (6ft 1) vegan has enjoyed a long career in the sport.
Marc-Olivier joined the Montreal Alouettes in May 2010 and played 103 games. Read More... “Marc-Olivier Brouillette, vegan American footballer”
Anastasia Zinchenko has been competing in powerlifting for several years, recording some high profile placings and impressive totals. She’s competed in the 63kg and 72 kg weight classes, and taken regional UK titles, national placings – and competed internationally.
In 2014 she won the BDFPA All Midlands Championships 72 kg weight class and took second in the 2014 British Universities Powerlifting Championship, 63 kg class. Read More... “Anastasia Zinchenko, vegan powerlifter and bodybuilder”
Calle has been taking on some of the most difficult courses on American Ninja Warrior, reaching the national finals on several occasions.
Ninja Warrior originated in Japan and consists of obstacle courses of increasing difficulty, with competitors being eliminated after failing to complete obstacles or running out of time. Read More... “Calle Alexander, vegan ninja warrior”