WORLD CHAMPIONS: Australia's Men's Four Josh Hicks, Spencer Turrin, Jack Hargreaves and Alex Hill. Photo: ROWING AUSTRALIA
Nyngans Jack Hargreaves has helped Australia secure back-to-back World Championship titles after a thrilling race in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Hargreaves along with Alexander Hill, Spencer Turrin and Joshua Hicks held off attacks from both Italy and Great Britain to once again be crowned World Rowing Champions.
In a tight A-Final, the Australian Mens Four powered out the start and were at 50 strokes per minute to get ahead of their competition.
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Australia crossed the half way point in the lead, with a virtual line forming behind them between the remaining crews.
Italy had a huge push in a bid to close down the Australians, coached by Ian Wright, but the boys in the green and gold were flying.
With Italy fast approaching, along with the finish line, Hill upped the Australian stroke rate to 43 and the World Champions protected their title by 0.25 of a second.
The back-to-back win is the second gold medal victory for the Mens Fours since 1991.
Hargreaves said it was a good race and the team have stepped up through the regatta.
“We werent really happy with our heat, but we got better in our semi and ultimately in the final,” Hargreaves said.
“I have to say full credit to the other crews who pushed us all the way, but were extremely happy to win the World Championships again, its been a great year,” he said.
The regatta, which runs from September 9 to 17 features over 900 athletes from 62 nations with Australia entering three para-rowing crews, six mens crew and six womens crews.
Other local rural Aussies making the world stage include Brewarinnas Emma Fessey who competed in the Womens 8 taking out bronze.
Also Walgetts Jack OBrien who won the C final and along with Andrew Judge wrapped up their debut World Rowing Championships in the Mens Pair ranking 13th in the world.
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Nyngan Observer
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