NZ Rower Emma Twigg Defends World Title After Olympic Silver

After winning Olympic silver in Paris and claiming the 2025 world beach sprint title, Emma Twigg is proving that champions find new mountains to climb.

The two-time Olympic medalist and Tokyo 2020 gold winner is leading New Zealand's beach sprint rowing team into an exciting season that includes competitions in the United States and the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in China this October. Beach sprint rowing, which will make its Olympic debut at LA 2028, is rapidly growing worldwide and attracting top talent like Twigg who are helping shape the sport's future.

The team's journey starts with a training camp in Los Angeles at the beach that will host the 2028 Olympic competition. From there, they'll head to Boston to race against elite crews including Team USA before returning home to prepare for the world championships in Qingdao, China.

While Twigg recovers from an injury that will keep her out of the US tour, teammate Holly Chaafe will step in for the American competitions. Twigg aims to return in time to defend her world title in China, where she'll compete in both the women's solo and mixed double events.

Joining Twigg is Matthew Dunham, who won the 2023 world beach sprint title in mixed doubles and brings serious experience to the men's solo competition. Sebastian Fulton and Erin James round out the squad, with James making her return to international competition after a 17-year break while raising her three children.

Why This Inspires

This team represents something bigger than medals. Fulton grew up surfing and fishing at New Zealand beaches, and now he's combining those childhood passions into world-class athletic competition. James proved that motherhood doesn't end athletic dreams, just pauses them. And Twigg continues showing that success isn't about one victory but about constantly challenging yourself in new ways.

As beach sprint rowing enters the Olympic family, New Zealand is building something special: a team of athletes who love the ocean, embrace new challenges, and are helping define what this exciting sport can become.

The world championships in October will show just how far they've come.