Anton BRAUN Interview

Rising Star – November 2012

Making his Olympic debut at the tender age of the young age of 22, Germany’s Anton Braun is a promising talent for the future of German sweep rowing. Braun made his international debut at junior level in 2008 and rose through the ranks quickly, winning a bronze medal in his first appearance in an international boat at the World Rowing Junior Championships and adding an under-23 bronze to that haul one year later. In 2010, after making his senior debut in the men’s four at one of the World Rowing Cup regattas, Braun was crowned under-23  World Champion in the men’s eight and then won yet another bronze medal at the 2011 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, this time in the men’s pair. Coming into the 2012 season, Braun and Felix Drahotta made a real impact on a competitive field, winning a gold medal at the Samsung World Rowing Cup I in Belgrade, Serbia. At the Olympic Rowing Regatta, Braun and Drahotta won the B Final, finishing seventh overall. World Rowing spoke to Braun to find out about his motivations, his like and dislikes and his training schedule.

World Rowing: My sporting hero is…
Anton Braun: Robert Sens

WR: I row because…
AB: I enjoy being in the fresh air. I like the fact that it is an outdoor sport. Besides I don’t really fancy ball sports and ‘games’.  Rowing is a great mixture of both power and endurance.

WR: On the erg, I listen to…..?
AB: Electronic music

WR: I’m most relaxed when…?
AB: … well I’m definitely NOT relaxed when I’m just sitting on the sofa.

WR: My least favourite training session is…
AB: Erg sessions.

WR: My favourite training session is…
AB: Sprint races, something like 500m races.

WR: I study…  
AB: I am part of the sport supporting group of the Bundeswehr (the German Armed Forces). I haven’t planned any degree programme yet.

WR: In 10 years’ time I will…
AB: Hopefully I will have graduated from university!

WR: My toughest race…
AB: The final in Belgrade at the Samsung World Rowing Cup I was really tough.

WR: I’m motivated by…
AB: Being better than the others.

WR: A typical day….
AB: A typical day normally consists of getting up at 7am, rowing, sleeping, rowing, sleeping.

WR: Scull or sweep?
AB: Definitely sweeping.

WR: 2k or 5k on the ergo?
AB: Definitely 2k

WR: My favourite boat to row is…
AB: The coxless pair

WR: My favourite movie star is…
AB: Russell Crowe

WR: I’m afraid of…
AB: Getting injured or ill and not being able to row as a consequence