Paul O'Donovan capped off a remarkable summer yesterday, claiming gold in the lightweight men's single sculls at the World Championships in Canada yesterday.
Fresh off his Olympic gold in Paris, the Cork man opted against taking an extended break in the aftermath of the games. Instead, he would compete in the singles at the worlds, hoping to reclaim a title he last won in 2017.
As the most prolific lightweight rower in the sport, he was the heavy favourite to win the gold medal once again. He more than lived up to that billing, emerging victorious in yesterday's final to claim a seventh world title of his glittering career.
Watch a living legend at work, as Paul O’Donovan wins his SEVENTH world title with a dominant performance in the lightweight men's single sculls final at the World Rowing Championships! He's a winning machine. pic.twitter.com/p2j3r97ulF
— Kieran McCarthy (@KieranMcC_SS) August 24, 2024
An incredible achievement.
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Paul O'Donovan Had Humble Response After Claiming World Title
Paul O'Donovan may have already achieved an incredible amount of success in rowing, but you get the sense that he remains as hungry as ever. The removal of the lightweight class from the Olympics will give him a new challenge for 2028, with the Skibereen man set to move up to the heavyweight division in Los Angeles.
The 30-year old has forged a reputation for giving brilliant interviews, something that continued after yesterday's race.
When speaking to World Rowing, he was typically humble in summing up his achievements in the sport.
What a legend - three weeks after his gold medal in Paris, Paul O'Donovan of @RowingIreland is back with another gold medal, this time in the lightweight men's single sculls. Is he Ireland's greatest ever athlete?#WRCHStCatharines #WorldRowingChamps pic.twitter.com/wlRILZ31qp
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2024
I'm a little bit tired, but that's to be expected I think...
Something like that (his seventh World Championship title), but I think I was dragged along for most of them to be honest with other people, so I can't take credit for all of that...
It was very close in the opening stages and then the Greeks took off. I was like 'I better follow him, he's pretty dangerous'. I seen something 139 or 140 on the GPS, so I thought this was a head wind I'm sure. I was like 'what is he doing?'
I had to go with him. I tracked him down in the end and got a little bit ahead. I just kept working to avoid the sprint at the finish because I could see USA and Italy were fighting it out and closing down on the two of us.
I was happy to cross the line in the front position.
Some man.
Paul O'Donovan may already have seven world titles and three Olympic medals to his name, but you get the sense that he will be very keen to add to that tally over the coming years.
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