JUSTIN BEST, 1997, UNITED STATES
Silver medal in the coxless four at the World Rowing Championships 2023.
Bronze medal in the coxless double sculls at the II Rowing World Cup 2022.
What is the main trait of your character?
My unwavering resolve and tenacity, especially when it comes to things I am passionate about.
Has it influenced your sports career?
Yes, definitely. Rowing is a sport that is done slowly, very rarely someone gets into a boat and is instantly good, and I was no exception. Day by day I tried to improve in everything I did in rowing and, year by year, I saw the overall performance, until I got to where I am now.
What virtue do you wish you had?
I would love to be temperate in more aspects of my life. I am very "all or nothing" when it comes to activities, in the sense that I either over-deliver, or I shut down and don't participate. I think it is important to develop the ability to measure enthusiasm and passion in order to use them more effectively.
Fun fact about you.
I make rowing memes.
Do you have a motto for life?
Perseverance is the hard work you do when you are tired of the work you have already done.
Your second favorite sport.
I love watching the World's Strongest Man competition.
Three athletes you admire.
Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps and Tom Brady (I'm not a Patriots fan at all, but I respect the game).
What is the sporting milestone you remember most?
The first time I went under 6 minutes in the 2000 meters.
How did you become a fan of your sport?
I was undecided about what sport to do and my parents saw The Social Network. It featured the Winklevoss twins and they thought I had a similar build to the actor playing the part, so they signed me up for a rowing camp in my area.
Who helped you the most to achieve your sports dream?
My girlfriend, Lainey Duncan.
Your greatest achievement?
Win the silver medal at the World Rowing Championships 2023.
And your worst failure?
Placing fourth at the 2020 Olympics, missing out on a medal by 1.02 seconds.
What has the sport taught you for life?
If you have a passion for something, and you pursue it with all your might, you will succeed in the end.
How would you like fans to remember you?
Like the guy who sucked at rowing at the beginning but did everything he could to get faster and in the end he did it.
What is the biggest challenge in your sport?
Without a doubt, access to the sport. There are so many barriers to entry for many people who never have the opportunity to enjoy the sport.
What is the most important aspect of any training?
Consistency. Being disciplined to engage in continuous improvement over a long period of time and making sure you get something out of every workout or exercise.
Do you have any rituals or hobbies before a competition?
I like to do meditative breathing while listening to motivational music loudly.
What role has your upbringing played in your sports career?
It has allowed me to learn the fine balance of time management.
And what role has sport played in your education?
I was able to pursue a career in my sport on scholarship at a great university, and graduate with no student debt.
A tip for the younger ones.
Set yourself some big goals, then break down what it would take to achieve them. Then set some smaller goals that are achievable and will take you in the direction of the big ones. Remember, every decision you make can move you one step closer or one step further away from your goal. Make sure that most of the steps bring you closer to it.