Double medal joy for oarsome Joe
ROWING Adamson a golden boy twice over on his GB debut
JOSEPH Adamson hopes to push the boat out at the forthcoming World Championships – after a superb international debut saw him strike double gold, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 17-year-old rower triumphed for Great Britain in the boys’ doubles sculls and quadruple sculls at the prestigious Munich Regatta.
In doing so, the Durham St Leonard’s School pupil becomes the first boy from Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club to clinch an international medal - and the first from the North East for 10 years.
Adamson said: “Going to the regatta was a great experience. I was delighted with how I did – especially as it was my first international competition.
“”The standard of racing was incredibly high – there was actually a world junior silver medallist in one of my races.
“I was a bit disappointed with how I rowed in the single sculls, where I finished third in the C final.
“I did not have real expectation of a medal in the quads, so to win one there and in the doubles was very pleasing.” Adamson’s coach at Chester-le-Street ARC Steven Thompson said: “To win one gold would be great.
“To win two is a fantastic achievement.
“Joseph was stroking in the quad, which was up against crews from Belgium, Germany and Japan.
“Those countries are notoriously strong at rowing so to overcome them – especially the Germans on their own patch – is fantastic.
“Hopefully these performances will hold Joseph in good stead as he bids to make the GB squad for the World Championships in the Czech Republic later in the summer. He and fellow club member Eve Larson will take part in the selection meeting in Nottingham in July and we hope they do well there.”
Adamson teamed up in the quad with boys from Tideway Scullers and Maidenhead and Windsor Boys School to claim top spot on the podium despite a tough headwind which tested the crew – together in the boat for the first time.
The following day, the teenager paired up with Lawrence Joss of Tideways to post the fastest time in the double sculls - and claim the gold medal.