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With all eyes on Tokyo 2020, the Asia Media Centre takes a look at a rowing club at the bottom of the world and how its connections to Japan led to young Kiwi rowers racing at the Olympic venue months before New Zealand Olympians.
Photo: PhotoSport
Life-long rower Glen Sinclair is CEO at the Otago University Rowing Club. He s been rowing since [he] was born and been at the club since it was little more than a simple building on the banks of Otago Harbour. There was one toilet, one change room, one gas hot - but mostly cold - water shower.
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The North Shore Rowing Club is beaming with pride this weekend.
Michael Brake (fourth from left) and Matt Macdonald (second from right) both attended the North Shore Rowing Club.
Photo: Steve McArthur/Photosport Ltd 2021
Michael Brake, 26, is part of the club, as is 22-year-old Matt Macdonald, who sets the pace in the stroke seat.
Captain Mat Jensen has been watching the two men develop over the years.
He said their golden win was mindblowing and club rowers can t wait to celebrate with them . It s been phenomenal watching their journey from kids at school, who have really gotten into the sport at a young age.
Photo: Steve McArthur/Photosport Ltd 2021
Emma Twigg started the medal rush by winning gold in the women s single sculls.
Twigg dominated the final winning in an Olympic best time of 7 mins, 13.97 secs.
She led from start to finish and crossed the line 3.42 secs ahead of Hanna Prakatsen of the Russian Olympic Committee, with Austria s Magdalena Lobnig claiming bronze.
Twigg told
Sky Sport she could not believe it. All these years many, many disappointments and I just can t thank the people I have surrounded myself by enough, they ve got me here, that s not my result that s my team. I feel like this is fate and here we are, and it s an amazing feeling.