A WARRINGTON Rowing Club competitor has won a world silver medal in a new format of the sport.
Manchester Metroplitan University student James Cox, 18, finished second in the coastal under 19s men's solos in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals staged in Saundersfoot harbour, South Wales.
He was only seconds behind Mohamed Rayen Hafsa from Tunisia in the final and was more than satisfied with his performance in both the time trial and three spectacular races in the final eight.
“My races were pretty clean. My first race, I could’ve been a little faster coming back but can’t complain," he said.
"In the final I got a bit unlucky with the waves but I’m really happy with my medal.”
Beach Sprint rowing is a progressive new format, aiming for inclusion at the LA 2028 Olympics and confirmed for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
He was the fastest boat in his age category during the time trials, almost three seconds ahead of Spain in second place.
After that first day in Saundersfoot he said: “I just stayed relaxed, which is the best thing you can do in beach sprints.
"I really wasn’t expecting to come first, so that’s a bit unbelievable."
Cox, is in his first year studying sport coaching and development at university after leaving Queen's Park High School in Chester in the summer.
He is on the GB Start rowing training programme at Agecroft Rowing Club in Manchester.
Cox started out in the sport for his school firstly as a cox in Year 6 and progressing on to rowing.
In his final school year, he competed for Warrington Rowing Club.
Cox won both team trial days throughout the year to be selected for the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here