Reactions from the medallists at the 2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championships

It was a day of celebrations at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic rowing course today as new World Rowing Under 19 Champions were crowned. We spoke to some of this year’s medallists to hear their reactions.

Italy repeated their success from the European Rowing U19 Championships earlier this year in the men’s coxed four and Filippo Bancora recognised that they had to work harder this time around;

“We had to work harder to be the best. From the Europeans to now, we really put in the grind as we say and pushed hard for this moment.”

Bancora was proud to bart of the Italian team which finished joint top of the medal table;

“It’s a big family. I’m really pleased to be in the Italian team because really it’s a good nation to race with. There’s really good support between all of us. And forza Italia.”

Italy was joint at the top of the medal table with Great Britain who also won three gold, two silver and bronze. Great Britain’s bronze came in the women’s quad and, speaking after the race, crew member Chloe Sheppard said;

“We all knew it was very close and we told ourselves to keep going. We were in contention for the bronze. We all wanted it so bad, and we showed it on the lake. We wanted to be in front earlier, but every team started strong as well. We gave everything we had from the start to the finish.”

Great Britain’s women picked up another medal in the women’s eight in what was perhaps the most exciting race of the Championships with the top four crews finishing within 0.24 seconds of each other. The lead changed hands several times in the closing stages and although Romania was momentarily in the lead, it was Great Britain that was crowned World Rowing U19 Champions.

Commenting on the closeness of the race, Romania’s Bianca Elena Draghici remained upbeat;

“I’m feeling very excited to win the bronze medal. We were very close to losing it (laughs). But every stroke we had was from all our hearts for Romania, and it was amazing all the race, directly from the start. We are so grateful for this weekend, we are very happy. I’m very proud because it is my first international medal, and it’s a bronze for Romania’s eight. I’m thankful for all my crew.”

Greece picked up four silver medals during the Championships, including the men’s double sculls. Dimitrios Papazoglou was proud of their performance and grateful for the opportunity;

“It is a big relief because we have been training for this during the whole year. It is really nice to see that we are on the podium. It was one of my favourite races, the three boats, the three medals, were really close to each other and that is what you want to see, you don’t want to see one left behind, because that is even more challenging.”

He continued;

“Knowing that next year there will be the Olympic Games in this Olympic stadium, it is one of the best feelings to represent my country here. I can raise my flag and that is the best pride”.

Copy thanks to the student reporters for the OIS Sports Reporting Programme.