23 August
Possibly a preview to a budding international career, Angus Morton of UQBC recently returned from his first Australian representation at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Beijing, China.
The Championships, held from 7 – 11 August, served as the first official test event for the new 2008 Olympic Games venue, taking place at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.
Competing in the Men’s Quad Scull event, Angus and crew mates David Wright, Zac Cleaver and Nicholas Barnier made light work of the early rounds before rowing strongly in the semi finals only to narrowly miss out on qualifying for the A Final.
Angus Morton said the team were happy to bounce back strongly, putting in their best row of the meet in the B Final, where they finished second.
“Obviously we were disappointed not to make the A Final. We were in the stronger semi and finished fifth, so we were a little unlucky,” Mr Morton said.
“But we were happy with our effort in the B Final as it was our best of the meet.”
As for representing Australia for the first time, Mr Morton was extremely proud.
“It was great. It’s something that is very special to me and really means a lot,” Mr Morton said.
“Not many people do get the opportunity to represent their country so when it comes along you want to grab it with both hands,” he said.
By staging the World Rowing Junior Championships at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park organisers hoped to test the operation of the venue and gain experience ahead of next year’s Olympics.
Asked about the modern venue, Mr Morton said he was very impressed.
“The venue is fantastic. It has being raved about as the best venue in the world and I can certainly see why,” he said.
Mr Morton will now enjoy a short time off before resuming training in an attempt to gain state and national selection again in 2008.
