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Ellina Mhlanga in Paris, France
ZIMBABWE’S rower Stephen Cox put up a good fight in the Men’s Single Sculls Semi-final E/F to finish second at the Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium yesterday.
Competing in Semi-final E/F 2, Cox was the second to cross the line with a time of 7 minutes 36.59 seconds over the 2000m distance to progress to the E Final. The Zimbabwean rower, who is competing at the Olympics for the first time, is looking forward to competing in the E Final on Friday for an overall finishing position.
“So, the race was good, just like we rehearse in practice, and the conditions weren’t fast, so I knew it was going to be a longer race. So, I was a bit more patient in the beginning and then came through the middle of the race.
“I was hoping for higher up in terms of the finals. So, I was hoping for a C Final or there about. But I think the competition this year is exceptional. It’s the highest I have ever seen at the Olympics.
“So hopefully I can get the win in the E Final. So, I am hoping to win the final at least, we will see on the day.
“I think the E Final is very competitive. Some of the guys in the E Final this year were in the C Final last Olympics in Tokyo. So, the competition is very high this year and hopefully, I can beat these guys,” said Cox.
Cox had a good day, coming through to maintain second place going into the last 300m of the race.
Bermuda’s Dara Alizadeh was first in 7 minutes 33.38 seconds and in third place was Premanut Wattananusith of Thailand in 7 minutes 48.78 seconds.
Making his Olympic debut Cox finished a strong fourth in heat five of the six heats in 7 minutes 11.98 seconds on Saturday. The first three qualified for the quarter-finals. Coming fourth, Cox advanced to the repechage round on Sunday. Unfortunately, he placed fourth in 7 minutes 22.45 seconds, missing the opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals, and moved to Semi-final E/F.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the main competition, Cox is living his dream of competing at the Olympics. “So, it’s been a dream since I was 13. I used to say I always wanted to get to the Olympics. My career took over when I turned 20, so I took a five-year break from rowing which worked out in the long run.
“It’s hard to explain but it still feels like a dream, it doesn’t feel real. But it’s been the most incredible experience.”
Having competed for the last three consecutive days, the three-day break will give the Zimbabwean rower some time to recover ahead of Friday’s race.
“So luckily now we get a day or two off. “I guess even though I haven’t been to the Olympics before, I feel like my coaches prepared me very well for this. I know exactly what I need to do and what works for me in terms of recovery and sleep and rest for the next rounds,” said Cox.
Rowing Association of Zimbabwe president Andrew Lorimer, who is also the manager, said they are proud to be representing the country at the Games.
Online Reporter