Power and Passion: World Rowing Men’s Crew of the Year 2025

Giacomo Gentili, Luca Chiumento, Luca Rambaldi, Andrea Panizza
Men’s Quadruple Sculls, Italy

Italy’s men were named World Rowing Men’s Crew of the Year for the first time in 2025, and achieving this first in the men’s quadruple sculls is a fitting outcome. The quad holds a special place in Italian rowing history — Olympic champions in Sydney in 2000 and medallists at each of the four World Rowing Championships leading into 2025.

In 2025, Gentili, Chiumento, Rambaldi, and Panizza turned up the heat and turned on a gold medal performance on the waters of Dianshan Lake in Shanghai, China. That heat saw them lead at the start, pull away to open water at the 750m mark and hold off the powerful British crew in the last 500 metres.

“I remember the serenity with which we approached the World Championships. We viewed our relationship with rowing as a source of satisfaction and enjoyment,” said Gentili. “It’s the fruit of great teamwork, led by athletes, coaches, and managers.”

Despite being one of the more established crews of the 2025 season, the year was not without disruption. Fresh from a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games, the quad still went through a rebuilding phase. Chiumento spent time sidelined with injury, opening the door for Matteo Sartori to race at the European Championships and the Varese World Cup. Panizza, meanwhile, temporarily stepped away from rowing to pursue a place on Italy’s winter Olympic bobsleigh programme before returning to the boat.

By the time the World Rowing Championships arrived, the pieces had clicked. The final was a masterclass in rhythm and cohesion — four athletes moving with absolute intent in one of rowing’s fastest boat classes.

 “We’ve known each other for a long time,” said Panizza. “We know how to plan the path together to get important results and we support each other even in difficult times. We carry out what we do with pleasure and follow the guidance of our Technical Director Antonio Colamonici.”

Bowman Chiumento also capped off an impressive season individually, earning a top-10 ranking in row2k’s 2025 standings, supported by his bronze medal in 2022 and silver in 2023 in the quad at the World Championships.

“It was a very eventful year,” said Chiumento. “I wasn’t in good shape in the first few months. The summer training in Piediluco made the difference in reassembling the Paris 2024 crew after conducting several tests to find the best combination. Matteo Sartori, who was on board in my place at the European Championships and the World Cup, also made a significant contribution. Our thanks to Matteo.”

Medalling at the Paris Olympics was especially significant for the crew as they raced in the memory of their former team mate Flippo Mondelli. Mondelli died at the age of 26 from cancer.

“We were so happy to have run the best race possible against the strong Netherlands,” says Panizza. “It was important to hold the Italian flag that belonged to Filippo. We carry it to every regatta course. I promised his family we’d win an Olympic medal. We did it, and i think Pippo was proud of us.”

Looking ahead, all four athletes intend to continue together into 2026, with their sights firmly set on the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam.

 “In 2026 we’re aiming to continue with a high-level of performance in Amsterdam. But first we want to perform well at the European Championships as we’ll be competing on home water on Lake Varese,” said Chiumento.

The crew received their award at a ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, World Rowing’s home city. They dedicated the honour to Davide Tizzano and Filippo Mondelli.

Rambaldi: “We would like to thank our Federation President Davide Tizzano who sadly passed away at the end of 2025. He passed on to us his vision and his great passion, based on team spirit. And, of course, we also dedicate this to Filippo Mondelli: we always consider him aboard with us and in our hearts.”