Joshua Knight impresses on GB Rowing Team debut as Bath Performance Development Academy graduates shine in Lucerne
Cedol Daffyd won gold on “the lake of the Gods” and Joshua Knight enjoyed an excellent GB Rowing Team senior debut as graduates of the University of Bath-based South West Performance Development Academy (PDA) impressed at the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne.
Sport Management and Coaching alumnus Dafydd and crew-mates Callum Dixon, Tobias Schröder and Rory Harris went out hard in the men’s quad A final and were able to defend their lead in the closing stages to secure one of six golds for GB, who topped the medal table.
Minerva Bath RC’s Knight only took up rowing with the South West PDA three years ago after being identified as a potential Olympian. He teamed up with Matthew Haywood in the men’s double and they won both their heat and semi-final on their way to the A final, where they finished a fantastic fifth.
It was a brilliant result in their first competition for the pair who were coached by Olympic medallist Richard Chambers and Dan Harris, the latter having worked with Knight at Bath where he is based as national PDA Head Coach.
Jamie Gare, another PDA graduate, also contested the men’s doubles in Lucerne with James Cartwright, placing fourth in the C final.
The South West GB Performance Development Academy is always on the lookout for athletes with no prior rowing experience, aged between 14 and 22, to recruit and develop into Olympians. The guideline minimum height for those applying for testing is above 5ft 8in (176cm) for females and 6ft (185cm) for males. Click here to find out how to apply for trials.
