Olympian and World Championship rowing bronze medallist, Ursula Grobler, has called it a day on her rowing career at the age of 40.
Over the last decade, Grobler has been one of South Africa’s trailblazers after making her return to the country in 2012 after living in the United States of America.
In a media release by TuksSport, Grobler pointed out that she was looking forward to making a return with partner Kirsten McCann at the Tokyo Olympic Games but her dreams were shattered when they did not qualify at last year’s World Championships in Austria.
“I had a fairy tale ending planned for my rowing career. Kirsten McCann and I would have teamed up one last time to represent South Africa at the Tokyo Olympic Games. That is why I made a comeback at 38,” explained the Tuks Alumni.
“That is when I saw I can’t seem to perform at the level I need to. I had to accept that it is now up to Kirsten and Nicole (Van Wyk) to qualify for next year’s Tokyo Games.” – South African Olympian, Ursula Grobler
“When Kirsten and I were selected to compete at last year’s World Championship in Austria I thought this is it. We were going to dominate or at least do well.
“Unfortunately, we did not. The dream was shattered. Only the reality remained. That is when I saw I can’t seem to perform at the level I need to. I had to accept that it is now up to Kirsten and Nicole (Van Wyk) to qualify for next year’s Tokyo Games.
“The hardest decision I had to make was selling my boat. It made everything so final.”
Grobler will be looking forward to turning her focus on the upcoming 2023 World Masters Rowing Championship in Tshwane as she designed the official logo for the regatta and will be focusing on her business that she runs with her husband.
Photo 1 Caption: Olympian and World Championship rowing bronze medallist, Ursula Grobler, has called it a day on her rowing career at the age of 40. Photo: Ursula Grobler (Supplied)
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