Uncas Batista (BRA)

Rising Star – September 2018

Brazilian lightweight single sculler Uncas Tales Batista has had a great 2018 – winning gold at World Under 23 Championships. He came back from a second place in the semifinal to be named the champion for the second year in a row.  Batista has also been competing at the elite level for the past two years – and is keen for some medals there too.

My gold medal at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships was… very exciting.  I did not expect to win and was not as confident as I had been in other races.  I felt under a lot of pressure so when I crossed the line it was like a weight was lifted.

I started rowing because… I had to! My parents told me that I had to do something – I could not stay at home every day. Every day I passed a rowing club in Botafogo. One day I enrolled and started to row and that was the day I discovered what rowing was – before then I did not know.

I didn’t choose to be in the single sculls… I was selected into it.  That’s because I was the only one my age who had some experience in it and I was getting the right times.

I am happiest in the boat when… it is summer time. I hate the cold so I’m happier in the summer.

Before I race I eat… bacon, eggs and bread.

I train in… Rio de Janeiro.  It is a great city to practice a high performance sport.  I don’t live very close to the club though so that does not help.

It is very different competing in elite racing, compared with the under-23 because… it is a much higher level and much more difficult racing.  The first time I participated in an elite race I felt like a child playing in an adult world.

My long term goal is… to be an Olympic Champion in the lightweight double in 2024 and 2028.

When I’m not rowing… I like to bike and swim.

And for fun I… play video games or football.

My favourite song is…  Tempo Perdido by (the Brazilian rock band) Legião Urbana