University of Bath alumni Becky Wilde and Cedol Dafydd both won gold during a historic day for Great Britain at the 2025 European Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Poland.
Five titles were won by GB during a thrilling 90-minute spell on Sunday, including a first-ever European gold in the men’s quadruple sculls. Dafydd was part of the triumphant crew, helping GB achieve a European Best Time of 5:35.02 in his first big international final.
“It was awesome, I couldn’t be prouder of all four of us,” said the Sports Management and Coaching graduate who raced alongside Callum Dixon, Matt Haywood and Rory Harris.
“When we came through under the bridge we knew we were picking up momentum, going quicker and quicker and across the line, it honestly was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.”
Also securing a first major title in a European record time was Olympic bronze-medallist Wilde, who teamed up with Sarah McKay, Lola Anderson and Cam Nyland to win the women’s quadruple sculls in 6:11.00.
Both Wilde and Dafydd began their rowing careers with the University of Bath-based South West Performance Development Academy (PDA), formerly known as the GB Rowing Team Start programme, and represented Crew Bath in student rowing competition.
Jamie Gare, another graduate of both the University and the South West PDA, made his senior GB debut at the European Championships and placed 12th overall in the men’s double sculls with Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Tom Barras, who stepped in as a medical substitute for Tobias Schröder after the semi-finals.
The South West GB Performance Development Academy is always on the lookout for athletes with no prior rowing experience, aged between 14 and 22, to recruit and develop into Olympians. The guideline minimum height for those applying for testing is above 5ft 8in (176cm) for females and 6ft (185cm) for males. Visit teambath.com/rowing to find out more.
Lead photo shows Becky Wilde (left) being presented with the GB Rowing Team BOA Female Olympic Athlete of the Year award by Dame Katherine Grainger.
With thanks to Team Bath
