Cristiano de Freitas is in the seven-man squad that
will be representing South Africa at the World Rowing U19 Championships in
Vartes-sur-Marne, France from August 2 -6.
This is the second year in a row that he will be
going to the World Champs, last year the coxed Four that he rowed in finished
fourth there. “We aren’t quite sure exactly which boats will be entered this
year, but I have qualified to be in the Four again,” he said. “I am in a crew
with two St Benedict’s rowers, and one from St John’s, and our cox is from St
Stithians. The two Bennies boys have been my direct opponents all through
school and now we are team mates learning to row with each other, and we have
become friends.”
Cristiano has been rowing at Jeppe since Grade 8
and his boats have been in the medals at all the big events he has participated
in. “I fell out of love with the sport for a while in Grade 9,” he said, “but
my friends and the coaches wouldn’t let me give up. I’m glad they didn’t. It’s
great to be involved with the sport. You develop special relationships of trust
and community. You work hard together and make friendships that are going to
last for a long time.”
He is not sure what he will be doing next year –
local or overseas study, or working – but whatever it is, he will carry on
rowing. “I would love to represent the country at senior level,” he said. “I
know that will take special coaching and lots of hard work,” however.”
For now he is training every day for the World
Champs, after which he takes a break to get stuck into his books ahead of the
matric exams.
He is Jeppe’s latest international sportsman. We
are very proud of him.
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