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australian rowers profiles and history

Robert Black

Mosman Rowing Club (NSW)

Robert Black’s journey in rowing is marked by remarkable consistency, dedication, and a drive to achieve greatness at every level of the sport. Hailing from New South Wales and educated at the prestigious King’s School in Parramatta, Robert’s rowing career began to flourish early, and he has continued to build on his success through the years, from junior competitions to international stages.

His career began with a solid performance at the 2013 World Rowing Junior Championships, where he competed in the Men’s Quad Scull and finished in 10th place. While this result was not a podium finish, it laid the foundation for his future successes and sparked his commitment to pursuing rowing excellence.

In 2014, Robert quickly demonstrated his raw talent by dominating the National Championships in the Under 21 category. He clinched first place in both the Under 21 Single Scull and the Under 21 Double Scull, showcasing his versatility and skill in multiple boat classes. These victories not only highlighted his growing potential but also solidified his position as one of Australia’s most promising young rowers.

2014 National Champion in Under 21 Double - Robert third from the left

His breakthrough continued in 2015, when Robert’s performance in the Interstate Men’s Youth Eight at the National Championships helped lead his crew to first place, underlining his growing leadership in team-based rowing. Internationally, Robert competed at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, where he earned a third-place finish in the Quad Scull, marking his first taste of international medal success and foreshadowing his future triumphs on the world stage.

In 2016, Robert’s achievements reached new heights. He secured first place in both the Under 23 Quad Scull and the Under 23 Coxless Pair at the National Championships, followed by another stellar international performance at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, where he and his crew won first place in the Quad Scull. This marked a turning point in Robert’s career as he solidified his reputation as one of the top U23 athletes in the country, with back-to-back national and international titles.

2016 Quad win at World Under 23 Championships - Robert on the right of Australians

The year 2017 was another landmark season for Robert. He continued his dominance in the Under 23 category, winning first place in both the Under 23 Coxless Pair and the Coxless Four at the National Championships. His success culminated in a first-place finish in the Coxless Four at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, marking his Second World Championship gold. Robert’s consistent performances not only earned him multiple national titles but also demonstrated his ability to compete and win at the highest level of under-23 rowing. The four also set the new world best time for the under 23 level in the semi-final with a time of 5:44.4.

In 2018, Robert made his mark in the Open category. He helped his crew win the National Championship in the Open Quad Scull and contributed to first place finishes in the Interstate Men’s Eight at the National Championships, further establishing his skill in team events. On the international stage, he competed in the Men’s Eight at World Rowing Cup II and World Rowing Cup III, finishing fifth and second, respectively. These results were indicative of Robert’s rising profile on the international circuit. The World Rowing Championships that year saw Robert and his crew finish second in the Men’s Eight, a hard-fought performance that earned them a well-deserved podium finish and added another international medal to Robert’s impressive tally.

2018 World Championships - Robert in front on right

In 2019, Robert continued to demonstrate his prowess, particularly in the Interstate Men’s Eight at the National Championships, where his crew again took first place, further underlining his ability to contribute to elite team performances. On the World Cup circuit, Robert faced tougher competition, with finishes of fifth at World Cup II and sixth at World Cup III, but these results only highlighted the increasing depth of talent in the international field and the tough nature of elite rowing competition.

Throughout his career, Robert Black’s ability to succeed in both single and crew boat events, combined with his progression from junior competitions to international championships, has established him as a key figure in Australian rowing. His consistent victories at National Championships, alongside his multiple World Rowing Under 23 titles, demonstrate his readiness for the highest levels of competition.

Some rowing highlights

2013 World Rowing Junior Championships Men’s Quad Scull – Tenth

2014 National Championship Under 21 Single Scull – First

2014 National Championship Under 21 Double Scull – First

2015 National Championship Interstate Men's Youth Eight - First

2015 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Quad Scull – Third

2016 National Championship Under 23 Quad Scull – First

2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Quad Scull – First

2017 National Championship Under 23 Coxless Pair – First

2017 National Championship Under 23 Coxless Four – First

2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Coxless Four – First

2018 National Championship Open Quad Scull – First

2018 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – First

2018 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Fifth

2018 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Second

2018 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Second

2019 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – First

2019 World Rowing Cup II – Fifth

2019 World Rowing Cup III – Sixth 

Jack Hargreaves
January 2025

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