James Rudkin

Olympic bronze medallist James Rudkin is also reigning World and European Champion in the men's eight (M8+).

James was first selected for his country in 2010 when he was the spare for the GB v France match, and then raced in the M4x at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in 2011. The following year he finished 12th in the JM4x at the World Rowing Junior Championships. He went on to row for the U23 team from 2014-2016 – his best result was a fine silver medal in the BM4- in 2016.

On stepping up to the senior GB Rowing Team, James rapidly became a fixture in the men’s eight (M8+), winning gold at his first World Championships in 2017, followed by bronze medals in 2018 and 2019. He and the crew also took bronze at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

His European Rowing Championships record so far is a silver in 2019 followed by gold medals in 2021, 2022 and 2023, all in the men’s eight.

In 2022, he became World Champion in the men’s eight.

Rowing runs in James’ family; his dad enjoyed a successful rowing career and taught James to row at their local club Hollowell Scullers in Northamptonshire.

He attended Stowe School in Buckinghamshire on a sports scholarship and attained junior honours, before going on to to study at Newcastle University to study History and Politics, followed by a Masters in History. James was men’s captain in 2015, having attained U23 representation and domestic success. He represented Newcastle at senior level and learned to sweep under the tutelage of the Head Coach Angelo Savarino.