10
Wednesday January 2, 2013
The Sun
one on one with the Sun
A Golden Year Marlborough’s own Olympic champion has had a life changing year after winning a gold medal at the London Olympics in August. The world champion rower talks to Emily Elliott about what has changed, winning Marlborough Sportsman of the year, and his plans for the future. From the small New Zealand town of Picton, Olympic rower Joseph Sullivan has trained his way to victory. Always told he was too short to be a successful rower, he and his double sculls partner, Nathan Cohen, powered through the last 250m of the Eton Dorney race course at the London 2012 Olympics. The rower grew up in Marlborough, and believes he wouldn’t be where he is today without having rowed with ‘the boys’ from Picton Rowing Club. Having spent most of his teenage and young adult life training, he has been enjoying a well deserved break since returning from London. “I’m really enjoying the time off at the moment - I haven’t had a break in 12 years! I’m just making the most of it.” Mr Sullivan has been seeing a lot of his family, and has enjoyed having a social life again. When asked about his training, Mr Sullivan laughed and said he probably wasn’t doing as much as he should be. “I’m doing cross training at the moment - a bit of kayaking and cycling.” As for how often, Sullivan said he was training about three times a week. “It’s pretty basic at the moment. Just enough to keep me fit.” Which is something Mr Sullivan knows about. The athlete was awarded Marlborough Sportsman of the Year for the third year last month. He is the only other athlete to win the award three times, alongside the likes of All Black Alan Sutherland and rower Duncan Grant. Mr Sullivan said winning the award means a lot to him. “It’s such a great honour to win that. There are some great names on it, and it’s such an honour for my name to be on it alongside theirs.” Winning the title was a great way to top off the year and have his efforts recognised. Since he returned to New Zealand, Mr Sullivan has had to get used to publicity. “Everything has changed! I used to be able to go down the street without
anyone knowing who I was. Now people see me and want a photo or something signed.” When Mr Sullivan first returned from London, his weeks would involve doing interviews, going to business meetings and talking at schools. The athlete was only home three nights a week. Now days, Mr Sullivan’s typical week includes going to a few events and talking to schools. “They don’t teach you this side to winning a medal.
It takes a bit of getting used to,” he said. Mr Sullivan said it’s getting easier, a good thing considering he may be in for another Olympic gold. While the star is planning on going to the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, he is also keeping his options open. “I’m definitely planning on Rio, but four years is a long time, and a lot can change in them.” When asked if he would be racing with rowing partner Nathan Cohen again, Mr Sullivan was unsure. “I’m going for any boat I can get into!
There are a lot of young people who are really good, and I have to compete for a seat against them. If they beat me, they deserve it.” While Mr Sullivan said it would be awesome to be in a double again, he doesn’t know what will happen. Mr Sullivan will keep his hopes and his training high, getting back into the swing of full training by early next year. He will be training with the New Zealand Squad again, doing what he is told to do, he joked.
New Year Resolutions
Is this the year you’ve resolved to buy that diamond?
Diamonds
75 Market St, Blenheim Phone/Fax 03 578 7897
directly from ANTWERP Diamond Capital of the world As Certified Diamond Brokers we personally select diamonds to suit your choice of size, shape and price without the expense of a middle-man. Start working with us today on how you can achieve the diamond(s) you’ve always wanted for yourself or someone special. Large selection of THE NEW KAREN WALKER DIAMOND RANGE IS NOW AVAILABLE AT MCCORMICK & CO, BLENHEIM, PH: 03 578 7897
Including Solitaire and multi-stone rings
THE NEW KAREN WALKER DIAMOND RANGE IS NOW AVAILABLE AT MCCORMICK & CO, BLENHEIM, PH: 03 578 7897
Q-Card accepted here
Explore these different diamond options with the assistance of our Certified Diamond Brokers & Specialists
Bringing the best to Marlborough
Ideal-cut diamonds in two superb collections Rings, pendants, earrings and bangles