Men's Eight Qualify for Tokyo Olympic Games

The New Zealand men’s eight have  qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games at the 2021 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta (FOQR), held in Lucerne, after placing first in the Final.

New Zealand’s crew won the preliminary men’s eight race on Friday night local time against Romania, China and Italy, and needed to finish in the top two of the final to secure Olympic selection. 

New Zealand, Romania and China were close through the first 1500 metres with Italy trailling and it was in the last 500 that New Zealand managed to pull ahead to win in a time of five minutes 35.73 seconds,  1.2 seconds ahead of second placed Romania.

Unlike qualification at World Rowing Championship events, athletes that qualify boats at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta must compete in the same event if they compete in any events at the Olympic Games. The men’s eight crew will return to New Zealand on 20 May where they continue training throughout a 14 day period based in a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility.

FOQR New Zealand Men’s Eight Crew

Tom Murray, Blenheim Rowing Club (bow)

Hamish Bond, North End Rowing Club

Shaun Kirkham, Waikato Rowing Club

Michael Brake, North Shore Rowing Club

Dan Williamson, Auckland Rowing Club

Phillip Wilson, Petone Rowing Club

Tom Mackintosh, Avon Rowing Club

Matt MacDonald, North Shore Rowing Club (stroke)

Sam Bosworth, Avon Rowing Club (cox)

Tony O’Connor (coach)

Tokyo Olympic Games Qualification

Ten New Zealand boats have now qualified for Tokyo, with nine crews contesting the Olympic Games.

Earlier this year Rowing NZ and the New Zealand Olympic Committee declined the lightweight women’s double qualification at the Tokyo Olympic Games following Zoe McBride’s retirement.

The women’s single, women’s double, lightweight women’s double, women’s pair, women’s quad, women’s eight, men’s single, men’s double and men’s pair gained Olympic qualification at the 2019 World Rowing Championships.

New Zealand’s 2021 women’s team includes four World Champion crews, 15 World Champion athletes and six Olympic qualified boats.

The New Zealand Olympic Rowing Team will be announced on 11 June.