Anna Watkins

Anna is a British rower and Olympic gold medallist and current Olympic record holder after competing in the women’s double scull at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Olympic record was broken during the preliminary heats, with partner Katherine Grainger, in a time of 6:44.33.

Anna was introduced to rowing when she studied at Cambridge University. She competed in a number of disciplines such as the coxless fours and single and double scull. Since then has been a regular on the podium and settles for nothing less.

In 2004 she had her first taste of Gold by winning the U23 World Championships and from there she cemented herself within the GB Olympic team going to Beijing and managed to bring back a Bronze medal.

Anna teamed up with Katherine Grainger as her partner in the Double Scull. She and Katherine had a storming year in 2010 and were undefeated, winning Gold at the World Championships in New Zealand, and they were crowned as World Champions in their category. Anna and Katherine were also named GB Rowing Team of the Year in 2010 as well as Sunday Times Sports Team of the Year.

Away from the water Anna is a confident, well-spoken and a multi-talented individual who is also doing a PhD in Mathematics. She is hugely motivated and willing to be the best in whatever she puts her mind to. A great character who is the ideal role model for her country.

An accustomed public speaker, she has spoken at Cambridge and Reading universities, and at events for Visa, Scottish Widows and The Sunday Times.  She has also appeared on Newsnight, Women’s Hour and A Question of Sport.