Angus Groom

Rio 2016 Olympiad: 2013 – 2016

After finishing third in the GB Rowing Team Trials, Groom was selected in the men’s quad scull for the 2016 season alongside Peter Lambert, Sam Townsend and Graeme Thomas. They finished fifth at the European Championships in Brandenburg and then qualified for the final at the Lucerne World Cup. Lambert had to withdraw through illness on the morning of the race but, with Jack Beaumont subbing in, the quad still won a superb silver medal. They finished off the podium at the Poznan World Cup, having to settle again for fifth place.

A difficult build-up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games saw Thomas withdrawing through illness just four days before the regatta began. Beaumont again came into the boat and the new-look crew finished fourth in their opening heat. They were continually improving, though, and were strong runners-up in their repechage before finishing a fine fifth overall with a battling effort in the final.

Groom took his opportunities to impress during 2015 as he produced eye-catching performances on the international stage.

With Alan Campbell out injured, heraced in the single scull at the European Championships and performed brilliantly to reach his first-ever senior A final, finishing fourth overall.

Groom was then selected to replace the injured Charles Cousins in the men’s quad scull for the World Cup in Varese and helped Townsend, Thomas and Lambert win gold. The same crew was due to race in Lucerne but had to pull out through illness. Groom travelled as a spare and performed the same role at the World Rowing Championships.

He made his senior debut at the Aiguebelette World Cup in 2014 as part of a second GB men’s double scull with Jack Beaumont. They won the C final, placing 13th overall, and went on to win bronze at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Varese.

The previous year had seen Groom help the men’s quad qualify for a first-ever World Rowing U23 Championships A final, finishing fourth overall in Linz.

London 2012 Olympiad: 2009 – 2012

Groom made his GB Rowing Team debut at the 2010 World Rowing Junior Championships in Racice, finishing fourth in the men’s quad.

He also made his first appearance at the World Rowing U23 Championships in the quad in 2012, placing 11th overall.

Groom was a keen rugby player, swimmer and cross-country athlete at Royal Grammar School in Guildford before taking up rowing at the age of 14 on the advice of his father, who had represented Manchester University BC, Agecroft RC and Barclays Bank RC.

He attended Durham University from 2010-2013 and graduated with a BSc in natural sciences.  In his final year, Groom was named as Team Durham’s Sportsman of the Year after winning all three BUCS Championship sculling events and helping Durham claim the Victor Ludorum for a tenth successive year.

Groom plays guitar – “badly” – and is a fan of alt-J, The Black Keys and Kasabian. Game of Thrones and Dexter are his current favourite TV programmes, while he always watches Lone Survivor and Touching the Void on training camp – “they remind me that whatever we do, it’s not as bad as what some people have gone through in their lives.”

He also enjoys bouldering, a form of rock climbing without the use of ropes.

Groom is Lottery funded through UK sport.