Francis Cullimore

Francis Cullimore (born 13 December 1976[1]) is an Australian-born New Zealand former elite athlete, He is a five time multiple sporting professional & Rugby Union/league dual international.

Born in Brisbane, Australia, Cullimore moved to Auckland when he was 7 after his father died, settling in Northland. He grew up in Whangarei, New Zealand, and attended Tikipunga primary & High School. He played rugby league for the Junior Kiwis and was signed by the Auckland Warriors to a two-year scholarship. Cullimore represented New Zealand in rugby league sevens, playing in the Rugby League Coca-Cola World Sevens tournament, and also selected for New Zealand Māori. Cullimore then moved to Australia and played lower grades for the Illawarra Steelers and a brief stint with Manly Sea Eagles.[2]

He decided to switched codes rugby union, playing for the New South Wales under-21s. Nsw A & Moving on to super rugby with the Waratahs, debuting in 2001, he also became a dual international after making the Australian men's 7s team [3] and represented Australia in rugby sevens.[2]

He was also selected to go to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics with the Australian bobsleigh team after a successful North American training camp. Unfortunately, a leg injury ruling him out.[4] Cullimore then trained and fought as a mixed martial arts fighter turning pro with a 3–1 record[5]

He later trained in natural body building, placing 3rd at the Australian Nationals ANB & International Natural Bodybuilding Association heavyweight divisions and appeared in the Nation's top hit TV show Australian Ninja Warrior Australian Ninja Warrior (season 1 & 2 making the semi-finals for Australian Ninja Warrior.)

[6] Francis Cullimore has now moved away from the sporting arena & all his focus is gone into creating a successful landscaping business, Gardenking Landscape & maintenance.