Dutch rowing loses much-loved coxswain

“The passionate coxswain did not like loosing.”

Dutch rowing is mourning the loss of their favourite coxswain, Chun Wei Cheung. Cheung passed away at the age of 34.

Cheung began rowing in 1992 while at university, at the student rowing club Nereus in Amsterdam, but he soon became in demand as a coxswain. His success as a university coxswain led him to the Dutch National Team and at the 1996 World Rowing Championships Cheung coxed the men’s pair with coxswain to bronze.

Cheung then came back to coxing heading into the 2004 Athens Olympics and coxed the Dutch men’s eight to a silver medal.

Cheung remained an active member of the Nereus club including being a board member from 1996 to 1997. An hour before his death Cheung was appointed an honorary member.

Cheung continued to cox right up to the end. He coxed the men’s eight at the Henley Royal Regatta this year where they won the Grand Challenge Cup over Germany (now World Champions). This was Cheung’s second win at Henley. Then in August this year Cheung discovered he had an aggressive and rare form of liver cancer soon after coxing his crew at the World Rowing Championships in Eton. He passed away at home last weekend. As coxswain of the men’s eight Cheung developed a very close friendship with coach Mark Emke. Emke will remember Cheung for his passion and hatred of losing. Emke told Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, “Everyone knew Cheung as a friendly and lively character. There was always a laugh when Cheung was around.”

Send condolences to Cheung’s club at: http://www.nereus.nl

Copy with thanks to Joris Trooster, www.nlroei.nl

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