Rowing ace storms to GB bronze medal in Czech Republic

July 20, 2021

A former student at Monmouth School for Boys clinched a bronze for Great Britain at the recent Under-23 World Rowing Championships.

Iwan Hadfield stroked the boat home behind Canada and Ireland to secure third place in the six-boat 2000m final in Racice, Czech Republic.

It was a memorable occasion for Iwan, who previously won a bronze medal for GB at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Tokyo in an eight.

“It’s awesome to medal and any finish on the podium isn’t a bad day,” reflected Iwan, who was racing in an international event for the first time in two years.

“Just to get out here on the start line was half the battle this year and I am immensely proud of how the guys dealt with the situation that has been thrown at us.

“It’s nice to see the lockdown training paying off.”

Iwan added: “It was a shame we couldn’t bring the whole team out with us. We tried to do them and everyone back home proud and hopefully that came across in the racing from the whole team.”

Iwan was among just 24 rowers, across seven boats, who represented GB in Racice.

Iwan’s medal is another honour for Monmouth School for Boys to celebrate alongside the likes of Olympic medal-winning alumni Charlie Wiggin, Colin Moynihan and Tom Lucy, and two-time Olympic gold medal coach, Robin Williams.

Iwan, who is now a member of the Leander Club, has secured a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, one of the sport’s leading universities.

Iwan learnt to row with Cardiff and Vale Schools Rowing Academy, before moving to Monmouth School for Boys on a rowing scholarship in the Sixth Form.

He gained selection for Wales at the Home International Regattas of 2017 and 2018 and represented Great Britain at the 2019 Munich Junior Regatta in Germany.