Welsh Para-rower Ben Pritchard is aiming to use his recent European title victory as momentum for the upcoming World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. The 34-year-old secured a hard-fought win against Italy’s Giacomo Perini in the PR1 men’s single sculls in Varese, despite managing a physical injury sustained from a malfunctioning hoist shortly after his arrival.
Pritchard, who was named the 2025 BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year, is currently completing final preparations in Italy. He acknowledges that the competition remains stiff, noting the impressive form of Australian rower Erik Horrie. The athlete also dedicated his recent performance to his coach, Andrew Williams, following a personal loss in the coach’s family.
The upcoming world event, scheduled for August 24-30 at the Bosbaan venue, represents a major goal for the Paralympic champion. Having established himself as a dominant force in the sport with multiple world records and major titles since 2024, Pritchard remains focused on maintaining his peak performance level. He noted that the familiarity of the Varese training site provided him with strong support, effectively acting as a home base during his competition.
