Mathilda Hodgkins Byrne

Rower - Women's Squad
Club: Reading University BC
Hometown: Hereford

Intro

Mathilda got into rowing as she wanted to avoid sport and thought rowing would be like it was in the film, ‘The Notebook’.

She learnt to row at Hereford RC in 2011 after being told by coach John Griffiths that she had the right build for the sport and later joined the GB Start programme at Reading, having previously been at Gloucester-Hartpury. She made her GB Rowing Team debut in 2012.

Mathlida made her Olympic debut at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, finishing 7th overall.

After having her son in 2022, she decided to return to the sport as she didn’t want to end her career with memories of the disappointment of Tokyo. Mathilda is a strong believer that it should not be assumed that having a baby means the end of a career. Although finding it tough to juggle motherhood and elite sport, Mathilda feels having Freddie has given her an amazing sense of perspective. Now she is back training full time and loves that Freddie joins her on camp and when travelling to competitions.

Mathilda was partnered with Becky Wilde for the 2024 season, together they qualified the women’s double for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where they won a brilliant bronze medal.

Visit our 2024 Olympic Regatta hub

On The Water

GB Competitive Record