Scholefield strikes GB gold in China

Scholefield strikes GB gold in China

The 24-year-old was in the GB crew that won the men’s eights in the International University Sports Federation Rowing World Championships on Sunday.

Old Victorian Scholefield, of St Martin, was in seat two to help GB beat crews from Poland, Italy, USA, Netherlands and hosts China in the final. And it was hot work too, with the temperature at 38C and humidity touching 85 per cent.

Said Scholefield: ‘My whole year has been focused on this event. I’ve set personal bests on the ergometer (rowing machine) and at team GB selection trials.

‘I took on the challenge of moving club from Edinburgh to London and [ended up] winning in China.

‘The heat and conditions in Shanghai were a challenge, so I am absolutely delighted to have come back a world champion.’

He began rowing in 2012 when he went to Edinburgh University to read history, just after the London Olympics.

Rowing for Edinburgh University he has won the Scottish Boat Race on the Clyde against Glasgow three times and is a nine time Scottish rowing champion. His crowning achievement at university level was winning – and setting a new course record in the Prince Albert Challenge Trophy at the Henley Royal Regatta in 2016. He became, literally, the poster boy for Edinburgh rowing, which has seen a remarkable resurgence under its coach Colin Williamson.

Scholefield has also rowed for Team GB at the World u23 Championships, the Holland-Becker and the Essen International Regattas and for Scotland at the Home International Regatta.

Having left Edinburgh for London in 2017 to begin his post graduate studies in law this season he has been rowing for the University of London. Shortly after a successful regatta at Henley 2018 he was selected to row for Team GB at the World University Games where he achieved ‘the perfect end to a great season’.

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