Rower Shaun’s Olympic dream

20 September 2006

SHAUN SEWELL

FOREST Gate rower Shaun Sewell has set his sights firmly on the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing after picking up a bronze medal in the World Championships held at Eton last month WRITES MIKE SIMMONDS.

Despite only picking up his oars for the first time 18 months ago, Sewell has already taken to the sport like a duck to water with a gold medal at the 2005 British Indoor Championships and a silver at the 2005 National Championships.

The 31-year-old, who is a member of the Royal Docks Rowing Club in Dockside Road, then took on the strongest arms-only single scull field of his short rowing career, and was just edged out by the more experienced Dominic Moneypenny from Australia and America's Ron Harvey in the final.

Satisfield

And while most people would be satisfied with medalling at their first World event, Sewell had set his hopes a little bit higher.

"I have to admit that at first I thought I would do a bit better," he said.

"I didn't think there would be that much competition but that soon changed when I was beaten badly in the first heat and only finished fourth.

"Maybe I was a bit too complacent about matters and that defeat really helped me re-focus and get back on my game."

Re-focus he did indeed as Sewell improved his times on the weekend to earn a fastest qualifier time and take his place in the final.

"It was really pleasing to improve as much as I did and make the final, because that was the least of my aims," he said.

"But, because I had to row again and the two who went on to win, had the day off, they were a bit fresher than me.

"I'm not using that as an excuse though and I was delighted to get my bronze medal in the end."

A bronze at the worlds should make Sewell an eminently more marketable proposition now, something he is desperate to capitalise on.

"I have had some success in the past with some gold medals, but this was undoubtedly the biggest result of my career and hopefully it will lead to me being looked at seriously in terms of funding," he said.

"It can be hard to get backing in my sport, but this medal should show them that I have the talent now.

"I have had some troubles with my boat which I think hampered my efforts at Eton, so I'm going to spend quite a bit of time during the winter getting the make-up just right to cut my times down."

A quick glance at the giant Sewell does make it hard to imagine him as a rower, as his main background is in the bodybuilding world. But a motorbike accident in 1999 which left him paralysed, and then a change of gym, brought about his new lease of life.

"I was heavily into my bodybuilding until the accident," said the former St Bonaventure's and East Ham College student.

"As I have always liked keeping fit, I tried out a number of other sports at first.

"I was going to Stanmore every day and it was quite a long way to go each time, so when heard they had a gym over in London Docks, I went there. The coach Simon Goodey literally jumped on me at the door and I got into rowing from there.

"It is a bit different for someone of my size, but I like to break the mould and think I have found my niche now."

Indeed he has, and with plenty of events to look forward to, Sewell has his eyes set on a hefty medal haul, including Olympic success.

"They say that it takes four years to learn rowing, and I have only been doing it for 18 months, so I have plenty of time to improve," he said.

"Rowing is quite a new sport in the paralympics and if you look at the winner in the world event, he was 40, so at 31, I can still have quite a future.

"As long as I keep my fitness up, I want to take part in all the events that I can.

"Beijing is my next aim and to stay around for the 2012 Olympics on my front door would be amazing.

"There aren't many rowers who come from East London, so I'm sure I would receive plenty of support. The main aim is to keep getting my times down and still be fit and strong when the Olympics come around, that would be a dream come true.