Rowing is one of the oldest sports, with its origins going back to antiquity. Civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans used rowing boats for both transportation and warfare. However, as a competitive sport, rowing began to develop in England at the beginning of the 18th century. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the biggest names in rowing today , as well as a little more about this sport!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in rowing today!
Biggest names in Rowing today: historical context
The first recorded regattas took place on the River Thames in London. The most famous of these, the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race, began in 1715 and is still run today.
During the 19th century, rowing became popular in British universities, with the creation of the Oxford-Cambridge competitions in 1829, which became an annual event and are still highly prestigious.
Rowing was included in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1900, in Paris, and has been part of the Olympic program ever since, with the exception of the 1896 Games, where the competition was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
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Biggest names in Rowing today: rules
Rowing is contested in boats that can be individual (single scull) or collective, with two, four or eight rowers. The main competitions take place over distances of 2,000 meters.
Each rower or team of rowers must cover this distance as quickly as possible, rowing in a coordinated manner to maximize the boat’s speed.
The main disciplines include:
- Single Scull (1x): one rower with two oars.
- Double Scull (2x): two rowers, each with two oars.
- Quadruple Scull (4x): Four rowers, each with two oars.
- Coxless Pair (2-): two rowers, each with one oar.
- Coxless Four (4-): four rowers, each with one oar.
- Coxed Eight (8+): eight rowers, each with an oar, and a coxswain who coordinates the team.
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Today’s biggest names in Remo: curiosities
Unknown Champion
At the Paris 1900 Games, which marked the debut of rowing at the Olympics, one mystery remains unsolved: who was the French boy who won the gold medal alongside Dutch rowers François Antoine Brandt and Roelof Klein?
Although there is a photograph of the young champion, his name and age are unknown. This story is a reflection of the tactics used in that edition of the Games.
The Dutch, favorites for the title, were taken by surprise in the qualifying round, finishing almost nine seconds behind the French Martinet and Waleff. The reason?
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The Dutch boat had an adult helmsman, Hermanus Brockmann, who weighed 60kg, while the French used a lighter child to gain an advantage.
The strategy worked for the French in qualifying, but alerted the Dutch, who copied it in the final.
Thus emerged the young champion, chosen to replace Brockmann in the decisive moment – the rules of the time allowed for the inclusion of a participant of another nationality.
The Dutch won the race with a time of 7min34s2, just two tenths of a second ahead of the French, who took silver.
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Father of the Star
American John “Jack” Kelly won the single skiff event at the Antwerp-1920 Olympics by one second in a duel against Britain’s Jack Beresford.
Famous for his unbeaten record in 126 races, Kelly saw his family achieve even more notoriety.
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His son, John Jr., competed in four Olympics and won the traditional Diamond Sculls regatta twice, in 1947 and 1949.
The Kelly family gained even more fame through Jack Kelly’s daughter, American actress Grace Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco.
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Biggest names in Rowing today (Men – World)
Ollie Zeidler (Germany)
One of today’s most dominant single scull rowers, world champion.
Kjetil Borch (Norway)
Olympic and world medalist, known for his endurance and technique.
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Biggest names in Rowing today (Women – World)
Sanita Puspure (Ireland)
Two-time world champion in single scull, one of the greatest figures in women’s rowing.
Emma Twigg (New Zealand)
Olympic and world champion, known for her determination and consistency.
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Biggest names in Rowing today (Men – Brazil)
Lucas Verthein
Brazil’s representative at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is one of the leading names in Brazilian rowing today.
Biggest names in Rowing today (Female – Brazil)
Beatriz Cardoso
One of the promising athletes in Brazilian women’s rowing, competing at international level and looking to consolidate her name in the sport.
Which countries have the best chance of medaling at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?
The countries with the greatest tradition and strength in rowing, such as Great Britain, Germany, New Zealand and Australia, are strong contenders for medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
These countries have robust training programs and have consistently produced world and Olympic champions.
Brazil continues to evolve on the international rowing scene, with growing investment in the sport and promising athletes looking to make history in Paris 2024.
With big names on the international and national scene, the sport continues to evolve and promises exciting contests at the next Olympic Games.
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