Rowing is one of the most traditional and demanding sports in the world, combining physical strength, refined technique and exceptional mental control.
Over the years, countless athletes have excelled in this sport, leaving their mark on its history. With this in mind, we have prepared a special article with the 20 best rowing athletes in the world today!
Currently, the world rowing scene is full of incredible talent, both among men and women, and they keep raising the level of competition more and more.
So check out the 20 best rowing athletes in the world today!
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Top 20 rowing athletes in the world today: complete list
- Oliver Zeidler (Germany)
- Emma Twigg (New Zealand)
- Martin & Valent Sinkovic (Croatia)
- Privel Hinkati (Benin)
- Kim Brennan (Australia)
- Hamish Bond (New Zealand)
- Grace Prendergast (New Zealand)
- Kjetil Borch (Norway)
- Ilse Paulis (Netherlands)
- Sverri Nielsen (Denmark)
- Miriam Giguère (Canada)
- Sybille Tamas (Romania)
- Jason Osborne (Germany)
- Sanneke Vermeulen (Netherlands)
- Ondrej Synek (Czech Republic)
- Carling Zeeman (Canada)
- Roman Polianskyi (Ukraine)
- Brooke Donoghue (New Zealand)
- Jacob Kromm (Germany)
- Fintan McCarthy (Ireland)
Top 20 rowing athletes in the world today: find out more about them
1. Oliver Zeidler (Germany)
Achievements: Single Skiff World Champion in 2019 and 2022; European Champion in several events.
History: Zeidler, the grandson of an Olympic rower, started out in the sport after excelling in swimming. His transition to rowing was quick and successful, dominating the international scene within a few years of starting.
Fun facts: Zeidler is known for his brute strength and refined technique, as well as being one of the few elite rowers who didn’t start out in the sport from childhood.
2. Emma Twigg (New Zealand)
Achievements: Olympic Single Skiff Champion in Tokyo 2020, World Champion in 2014, gold medalist in several continental championships.
History: Twigg started rowing at the age of 14 and quickly became one of the best in the world. After several Olympic disappointments, including a fourth place in London 2012, she finally won gold in Tokyo.
Fun facts: Twigg paused her career between 2016 and 2018 to study and work in sports development, before returning to rowing and reaching the top.
3. Martin Sinkovic (Croatia)
Achievements: Olympic Champion in Double Sculls in 2016, World Champion in several categories.
History: Martin, along with his brother Valent, has dominated rowing in several categories, showing incredible versatility by moving between the double sculls and the coxless pair.
Fun facts: The Sinkovic brothers are known for their perfect harmony during competitions and are nicknamed “The Rowing Twins”.
4. Fintan McCarthy (Ireland):
Achievements: Olympic Champion in the Lightweight Double Sculls at Tokyo 2020, several times European Champion.
History: McCarthy quickly made a name for himself on the international scene alongside his partner, Paul O’Donovan, resulting in an unbeatable duo in the Lightweight category.
Fun facts: He is known for his refined technique and for being one of the leading names in Irish rowing today.
5. Privel Hinkati (Benin)
Achievements: Benin’s first Olympic rower, representing the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
History: Hinkati started rowing in a country with no tradition in the sport, but his determination led him to take part in international competitions, where he became an inspiration to many.
Fun facts: As well as being a rower, Hinkati is a doctor and volunteers for various social causes.
6. Kim Brennan (Australia)
Achievements: Olympic Single Skiff Champion in 2016, three-time World Champion in different categories.
History: Brennan started out as an athlete in track and field before switching to rowing, where she found her true calling.
Fun facts: Brennan is married to Scott Brennan, also an Olympic rower, forming one of the most iconic couples in sport.
7. Hamish Bond (New Zealand)
Achievements: Three-time Olympic champion (2008, 2012, 2020), several times world champion in coxless pair and eight.
History: Bond, together with his partner Eric Murray, formed one of the most dominant pairs in rowing history. After retiring from the coxless pair, he continued to win in the eight.
Fun facts: Bond is also an elite cyclist, competing in road cycling events after his rowing career.
8. Grace Prendergast (New Zealand)
Achievements: Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion in the coxless pair and eight, several times world champion.
History: Prendergast is known for her versatility, competing in both the coxless pair and the eight, always with great success.
Fun facts: She is considered one of New Zealand’s best ever rowers, with a career marked by consistency and victory.
9. Kjetil Borch (Norway)
Achievements: Silver medalist at Tokyo 2020 in the Single Skiff, world champion in 2018.
History: Borch started rowing at the age of 13 and quickly rose to international prominence.
Fun facts: Borch is one of the most charismatic paddlers on the circuit, with a strong engagement on social media and a legion of fans.
10. Ilse Paulis (Netherlands)
Achievements: 2016 Olympic Champion in the Lightweight Double Sculls, several times European Champion.
History: Paulis is one of the leading rowers in the lightweight category, dominating at both European and world level.
Fun facts: Outside of rowing, Paulis is known for promoting a healthy lifestyle and is an ambassador for various sports brands.
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11. Sverri Nielsen (Denmark)
Achievements: European champion in 2020, silver medalist at Tokyo 2020 in the Single Skiff.
History: Nielsen started rowing through family influence and quickly became one of Denmark’s leading names in the sport.
Fun facts: In addition to his rowing career, Nielsen is also an avid chess player, using the sport to improve his focus and strategy.
12. Miriam Giguère (Canada)
Achievements: Olympic Champion in the Eight at Tokyo 2020, World Champion in 2018.
History: Giguère is one of Canada’s leading rowers, contributing to the success of the women’s team in several international competitions.
Fun facts: Giguère is known for her impeccable work ethic and her role as a mentor to young female rowers in Canada.
13. Sybille Tamas (Romania)
Achievements: World and European champion in several categories, Olympic medalist at Tokyo 2020 in the Double Sculls.
History: Tamas started rowing as a teenager and quickly excelled in the junior categories before becoming one of the best in the world.
Fun facts: She is one of Europe’s most respected rowers, known for her resilience and ability to compete at a high level for many years.
14. Jason Osborne (Germany)
Achievements: World Champion in the Lightweight Double Sculls, Olympic medalist at Tokyo 2020.
History: As well as being a rower, Osborne is also a professional cyclist, having taken part in European and world cycling championships.
Fun facts: Osborne is one of the few athletes to compete at a high level in two different sports, excelling in both rowing and cycling.
15. Sanneke Vermeulen (Netherlands)
Achievements: World and European champion in the Coxless Four, gold medalist at Tokyo 2020.
History: Vermeulen is one of the Netherlands’ leading rowers, known for her strength and impeccable technique in the boat.
Fun facts: Outside of competition, Vermeulen is an active advocate for gender equality in sport, working to promote rowing among women.
16. Ondrej Synek (Czech Republic)
Achievements: Three-time world champion in the Single Skiff, Olympic medalist on three occasions.
History: Synek is one of the biggest names in rowing history, with a career spanning more than two decades of success in the sport.
Fun facts: After retiring, Synek became a rowing coach and consultant, helping to develop the next generation of Czech rowers.
17. Carling Zeeman (Canada)
Achievements: Gold medalist in several international competitions, world champion in the Single Skiff.
History: Zeeman is one of Canada’s leading rowers, known for her strength and technique in the Single Skiff.
Fun facts: Zeeman is also a mental health advocate, working to raise awareness about the importance of psychological well-being in sport.
18. Roman Polianskyi (Ukraine)
Achievements: Two-time Paralympic champion in the Single Skiff, world and European champion.
History: Polianskyi took up rowing after an accident that left him paralyzed, becoming one of the world’s leading Paralympic rowers.
Fun facts: Polianskyi is known for his incredible resilience and determination, inspiring many athletes inside and outside the sport.
19. Brooke Donoghue (New Zealand)
Achievements: Gold medalist at Tokyo 2020 in the Double Sculls, world champion in several categories.
History: Donoghue is one of New Zealand’s most successful rowers, known for her partnership with Grace Prendergast.
Fun facts: Donoghue is known for her focus and discipline, and is often cited as one of the most dedicated paddlers today.
20. Jacob Kromm (Germany)
Achievements: World and European champion in the Eight, Olympic medalist at Tokyo 2020.
History: Kromm is one of the main stars of the new generation of German rowers, excelling in the Eight.
Fun facts: Kromm is known for his aggressive rowing style and for being one of the main leaders of his team.
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Top 20 rowing athletes in the world today: complete list
- Oliver Zeidler (Germany)
- Emma Twigg (New Zealand)
- Martin (Croatia)
- Privel Hinkati (Benin)
- Kim Brennan (Australia)
- Hamish Bond (New Zealand)
- Grace Prendergast (New Zealand)
- Kjetil Borch (Norway)
- Ilse Paulis (Netherlands)
- Sverri Nielsen (Denmark)
- Miriam Giguère (Canada)
- Sybille Tamas (Romania)
- Jason Osborne (Germany)
- Sanneke Vermeulen (Netherlands)
- Ondrej Synek (Czech Republic)
- Carling Zeeman (Canada)
- Roman Polianskyi (Ukraine)
- Brooke Donoghue (New Zealand)
- Jacob Kromm (Germany)
- Fintan McCarthy (Ireland)
If you enjoyed finding out who the 20 best rowing athletes in the world today are, take the opportunity to continue browsing the site to find out much more about other athletes and sports! Your comments are also very welcome here!
