Benjamin Pritchard Crowned World Rowing Para Crew of the Year
Paralympic, World and European champion awarded trophy at glittering event at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland
Benjamin Pritchard is World Rowing Para Crew of the Year 2025. Presented with the trophy in person at the Olympic Museum, Benjamin also had an opportunity to mark his name in history by signing the IOC Athletes Wall. The accolade comes just a month after he was crowned BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year and caps off a record breaking season for the single sculler.
Benjamin has gone from strength to strength since winning Paralympic gold at Paris 2024. He began 2025 with a best time and European title at the European Rowing Championships in Plovdiv and followed that up with a world best time and his first World title at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, cementing his dominance as the World’s leading PR1 single sculler. Uniquely, he currently holds all three Paralympic, World and European titles as well as the championship record time at each of the events.
World Rowing said that Benjamin had “enjoyed a flawless 2025 season on his way to the PR1 Men’s Single Sculls world title in Shanghai. He once again demonstrated his dominance, consistency and competitive edge at the very highest level of Para Rowing. Unbeaten since the 2024 Paralympic Games, Benjamin, who is also a member of both the World Rowing and Paralympics GB Athletes Commission, is a force of nature – both on and off the water.”
“This is an unforgettable honour,” Benjamin said, adding, “I’ve had a very special few days in Lausanne, where I’ve signed the Olympian and Paralympian Wall at the IOC headquarters and then won World Rowing para crew of the year. It’s fantastic to be recognised for my performances this season. I’m still taking it all in – another pinch me moment!”
He added “As athletes, race day can sometimes feel like it gives us our moment. My race might give me nine minutes in the spotlight, but this award is really about everything, and everyone, that makes those nine minutes possible. It’s about the coaches who plan the sessions, the organisers who make races accessible, the volunteers who turn up early and stay late, the officials, the support staff, and the people working behind the scenes who make sure the start line is there for all of us. Without that collective effort, there is no race, and there is no performance. I’m proud to be part of a para sport community that lifts each other up, and I’m thankful to everyone who helps make the start line possible.”
The World Rowing Awards were presented on Saturday evening at the IOC Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Other British nominees included the Coastal Inclusion Mixed Double Sculls of Colin Wallace and Megan Hewison also in the Para crew of the year category, Paralympic Head Coach Nicola Benavente in the Coach of the year category and Lancaster John O’Gaunt Rowing Club in the Rowing Programme of the year category.
