Vanessa Fernandes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
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Vanessa Fernandes

Fernandes at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Full name	Vanessa de Sousa Fernandes
Nationality	Portuguese
Born	(1985-09-14) 14 September 1985 (age 39) Perosinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Residence	Jamor, Oeiras, Portugal
Height	169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight	55 kg (121 lb)
Sport
Country	Portugal
Sport	Triathlon
Club	Benfica
Medal record Women's triathlon Representing  Portugal Olympic Games Silver 2008 Beijing Women's race ITU World Championships Gold 2007 Hamburg Elite women's race Silver 2006 Lausanne Elite women's race Bronze 2003 Queenstown Junior women's race ITU Triathlon World Cup Gold 2006 Overall World Cup Gold 2007 Overall World Cup European Championships Gold 2003 Carlsbad Junior women's race Gold 2004 Tiszaújváros U-23 women's race Gold 2004 Valencia Elite women's race Gold 2005 Sofia U-23 women's race Gold 2005 Lausanne Elite women's race Gold 2006 Rijeka U-23 women's race Gold 2006 Autun Elite women's race Gold 2007 Copenhagen Elite women's race Gold 2008 Lisbon Elite women's race Gold 2008 Pulpi U-23 women's race Bronze 2002 Győr Junior women's race Women's duathlon ITU Duathlon World Championships Gold 2007 Győr Elite women's race Gold 2008 Rimini Elite women's race ETU Duathlon European Championships Gold 2006 Rimini Elite women's race Bronze 2002 Zeitz Junior women's race

Fernandes finishing second in Lausanne 2006

Vanessa de Sousa Fernandes is a famous athlete from Portugal. She was born on September 14, 1985. Vanessa is known for being a champion in both triathlon and duathlon. She has won many titles, including European and World Championships. She also won an Olympic medal.

A triathlon is a race with three parts: swimming, cycling, and running. A duathlon is similar but has two parts: running and cycling. Vanessa has been a top athlete in both these challenging sports.

Vanessa's Amazing Career

Vanessa Fernandes was born in Perosinho, a town in Portugal. She started triathlon when she was 14 years old, in 1999. Her father, Venceslau Fernandes, was a professional cyclist. He even won a big cycling race called the Volta a Portugal in 1984. He was the one who introduced Vanessa to the sport.

Vanessa first competed for her local club, Clube de Perosinho. Then she joined Belenenses, where she became a world champion in the under-23 age group. In 2005, she moved to S.L. Benfica, a very well-known sports club in Portugal. She still represents Benfica today. Sometimes, she also takes part in cross country running races.

Olympic Dreams and Success

Vanessa first competed in the Olympic Games in 2004, when she was just 18 years old. It was the second time triathlon was part of the Olympics. She finished in eighth place, which was a great achievement for someone so young.

In June 2006, Vanessa became the number one ranked triathlete in the world. She won the International Triathlon Union World Cup. Later that year, she won her twelfth World Cup race in Beijing. This tied a record for the most consecutive wins in the World Cup. Because of her success, she was named "Best Female Athlete of the Year" by a sports press club in Portugal.

In 2008, Vanessa won her fifth European Championships title in a row. This victory was special because it happened in her home country, in Lisbon, Portugal.

The biggest moment came in August 2008 at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Vanessa finished second in the triathlon race, winning her first Olympic medal. This was a silver medal, a huge accomplishment for her.

After some years away from competing, Vanessa started training again. She even aimed to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics. This shows how dedicated she is to her sport.

Fernandes (left), silver medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Vanessa's Major Achievements

Vanessa Fernandes has won many important races and titles throughout her career. Here are some of her most significant achievements:

• Olympic Games:
  • Silver Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
• ITU World Championships (Triathlon):
  • Gold Medal in 2007 (Elite women's race).
  • Silver Medal in 2006 (Elite women's race).
  • Bronze Medal in 2003 (Junior women's race).
• ITU World Cup (Triathlon):
  • Overall World Cup winner in 2006 and 2007.
• European Championships (Triathlon):
  • Won the Elite women's race five times in a row (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).
  • Won the U-23 (Under-23) women's race multiple times.
  • Won the Junior women's race in 2003.
• ITU Duathlon World Championships:
  • Gold Medal in 2007 and 2008 (Elite women's race).
• ETU Duathlon European Championships:
  • Gold Medal in 2006 (Elite women's race).

Vanessa has also received special honors from Portugal. She is a Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry and a Commander of the Order of Merit. These are high awards given to people who have done great things for their country.

See also

In Spanish: Vanessa Fernandes para niños