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James Tomkins

One of Australia's greatest rowers, James Tomkins is the only rower in history to win world championship titles in every sweep oar event.

James together with Mike McKay, Nick Green and Andrew Cooper, took the rowing world by storm in the early 1990's earning the "Oarsome" name and reputation with convincing victories in the 1990 and 1991 World Championships, and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Following Barcelona Andrew Cooper retired the Oarsome Foursome and Drew Ginn took his place in the boat. Despite taking a break competitive rowing for nearly three years the new Foursome successfully defended their Olympic title in Atlanta 1996.

At Sydney 2000, James teamed up with fellow Victorian Matthew Long to row in the coxless pair and went on to win his third consecutive medal at an Olympic Games.

After finishing fourth with Long at the 2002 World Championships in Seville, James teamed up once again with Ginn for the coxless pairs for the 2003 titles in Milan. James' reputation as one of the sport's greats was further enhanced as he and Ginn rowed to victory, giving James his ninth World Championships gold.

James made his fifth Olympic Games in Athens a memorable one, as he and Ginn rowed to victory in the coxless pairs winning Australia's sole Gold of the Athens regatta. In the process, James won his third Olympic Gold medal and elevated himself further into the company of our sporting greats.