Jonny Walton announces GB Rowing Team Retirement
After spending over nine years in the GB Rowing Team, Jonny Walton is leaving to start a new chapter away from rowing
After spending over nine years in the GB Rowing Team, Jonny Walton is leaving to start a new chapter away from rowing.
Jonny competed at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, finishing in fifth place in the double sculls with John Collins.
Jonny was introduced to the sport through his family’s connections with Leicester RC. He represented the GB Rowing Team at Junior and U23 level before making his senior debut in 2014. He has won many senior level medals including gold, silver and bronze in World Cups and a memorable silver medal in the quadruple sculls alongside John Collins, Graeme Thomas and Jack Beaumont at the World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton in 2017 minutes after Pete Lambert‘s dramatic injury in the warmup for the final.
Commenting on his career, Jonny said: “I am incredibly proud of my personal achievements throughout my rowing career. This last decade has been immensely rewarding, I have competed at the pinnacle of my sport, won many medals for my country and also made friends for life. I will really miss the day to day, perhaps not ergo work at altitude but a fast moving boat, racing side by side will be hard to better.
“Each day I wanted to be better than the day before. My message to all those aspiring rowers is that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
“I want to thank my family and friends, all of my past and present team mates and everyone at British Rowing, with particular thanks to Howard Marsh, Mark Banks and Paul Stannard who have been on my journey throughout my career.
“Finally, I want to share my thanks to the wider British rowing community, and to all the public who supported me in person or behind a TV. Your support has been immense and it will stay with me forever.”
Paul Stannard, Men’s Olympic Head Coach, said : “Jonny is one of the hardest working scullers I have had the privilege to coach. I have known Jonny for over ten years and have watched his grit and determination propel him to the top of his chosen sport.
“Much is made in the media of individuals who achieve success in a very short period of time. Jonny’s is the far more frequently trodden path of a talented individual who works incredibly hard over a number of years to reach the top which should be celebrated as much, if not more than the stories that more often hit the headlines. Jonny is about to embark on an exciting internship and I look forward to hearing about his future journey in the world of work where I am confident the characteristics he has shown in rowing will stand him in good stead for a successful career.”
