Piter Antonie Athlete, rowing champion Date of Birth: 05.11.1958 Country: Australia

1. Sportsman, Champion Rower
2. Early Beginnings
3. Olympic Success
4. A Long and Successful Career
5. Achievements and Reflections
6. Highest Honor

Sportsman, Champion Rower

Peter Antony is an Australian rower who has achieved remarkable success in the sport of rowing. He is a champion in the field of academic rowing, with achievements that are unlikely to be replicated. Antony won the lightweight single sculls at the 1986 World Championships in Hazewinkel and the Olympic Games in the heavyweight double sculls at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Early Beginnings

Antony started rowing at the age of 14 in his hometown of Melbourne. Despite being small in stature, his determination convinced his coach to give him a chance. At the age of 19, Antony won his first silver medal at the World Championships in the lightweight coxless fours in 1977. He went on to win three more medals, including a gold, in various lightweight boat classes at the World Championships.

Olympic Success

Antony had a strong desire to compete in the Olympic Games, even though lightweight events were not included in the program at that time. He teamed up with Paul Reidy in the heavyweight double sculls, despite his height of 183 cm. This partnership led to outstanding results. Antony won a bronze medal at the 1990 World Championships and went on to win the Olympic gold medal in the same event in 1992, with a new partner, Stephen Hawkins.

A Long and Successful Career

Antony's international sporting career spanned 23 years. He continued to train almost every day, even after retiring from competitive rowing at the age of 42 as a reserve for the Australian national team at the 2000 Olympics. Currently, Antony trains approximately three times a week in the eight, two to three times in the double sculls, and one to two times in the single sculls. He also coaches rowers at his hometown Melbourne University Boat Club.

Achievements and Reflections

Antony believes that the ups and downs throughout his career were the main driving force behind his more than 20-year competitive career. He always felt that he could do more. While he acknowledges that not all his performances on the international stage were excellent, some were worthy of recognition. Without a doubt, his most unforgettable achievement was winning the gold medal in the men's heavyweight double sculls at the 1992 Olympic Games. It took him 15 years since his first appearance and first medal at the World Championships to achieve this milestone. Additionally, his first gold medal at the World Championships in the lightweight single sculls was won after nine years of competing at the highest level. Antony's incredible endurance and perseverance compensated for his physical limitations.

Highest Honor

On August 30, 2003, during the World Championships in Milan, Peter Antony was awarded the FISA Thomas Keller Medal for his outstanding career and contribution to academic rowing. This 18-carat gold medal is considered the highest honor in the sport of rowing. It was established in honor of the long-serving FISA president and was first awarded in 1990 to the great Norwegian rower Alf Hansen.