BROMSGROVE rower Lauren Rowles won gold at the European Rowing Championships in Hungary and dedicated her latest title to her five-week-old son Noah.
Rowles combined with Gregg Stevenson to claim a resounding victory in the PR2 mixed double sculls amid tricky conditions in Szeged, Hungary.
The 26-year-old left newborn Noah and wife Jude Hamer, a fellow Paralympian in wheelchair basketball, to chase European gold and channelled all of that emotion in the race.
Rowles said: “I was thinking about that little boy in the last 500 metres. To be away from home at five weeks old, it’s hugely emotional and I really wanted to do it for them.”
Now a mother, Rowles is bidding to become one of the first rowers to win three Paralympic titles at Paris 2024.
She has sent records tumbling alongside new rowing partner Stevenson, who served as a Royal Marines Commando before suffering a life-changing injury in 2009 which led to a double leg amputation.
Rowles and Stevenson were in a different league to their rivals and despite racing in a fierce headwind, took gold by a cavernous margin of more than 13 seconds.
Rowles added: “It’s been tough, it’s a big adjustment to parenthood and being an athlete.
“It’s changed me massively. You don’t believe people when they say it, but it transforms your mind and as I get later in my career, I want to do it for the legacy and do it for my family.
“Greg has supported me through it. He hasn’t batted an eyelid to be honest, he’s trusted me all the way and trust is a big part of this partnership really.”
The GB Rowing Team enjoyed a fantastic weekend overall and finished top of the medal table with eight golds, one silver and one bronze.
Rowles and the rest of the world-beating GB Para Rowing Team will race for one last time before the Paralympics at the World Cup in Poznan, Poland in mid-June.
Stevenson said: “This is a springboard now. We’ve worked hard over the winter, and we know what we need to do. I’m just listening to Lauren and enjoying the ride.
“We’ve got a Varese training camp coming up – we always get quick in Varese, that’s what we do. Let’s see how quick we can go.”
British Rowing is the governing body for the sport and is responsible for the development of rowing in England and the training and selection of rowers to represent Great Britain. The GB Rowing Team is supported by the National Lottery Sports Fund. To find out more, and to follow the team, head to https://britishrowing.org/
