Local rowing star
CLAREMONT – Willie Morgan (22) from Claremont speaks about his love for sports.
It took dedication and passion for him to be the best, but now this friendly law student can safely call himself a rowing star.
Local resident, Willie Morgan is now living his dream and he is loving it.
Morgan is currently studying at the University of Johannesburg and is also a rowing coach at St John’s College in Houghton. He has been competing internationally in the senior national rowing squad for the past three years.
Recently, the athlete’s team, the para-rowing LTA (legs, trunks and arms) four competed at the International Rowing Regatta in Varese, Italy where they won a silver medal for Rowing South Africa. “It was a great place to check my speed, I love travelling. The weather was great. The facilities overseas are mind-blowing but in a few years, I see South Africa doing well,” he said.
The 22-year-old explained that he fell in love with rowing when he was still in Grade 8, and he clearly hasn’t looked back since.
“I was a first team cricketer and then immediately when I got to St John’s, I just fell in love with rowing,” he said.
“It has been a surreal experience and a sensational journey for me since the days when I began my high school career,” recounted Morgan.
“It has been awesome, I love every minute of it,” Morgan confessed during an interview at his home in Claremont.
He spends most of his time training.
And yes, he’s quite confident that although the sport is still growing, SA will soon enjoy and appreciate it.
“I would like to see rowing grow, and it has been in the last three years,” he said.
Morgan is motivated by his parents, who he said have always supported his dreams.
“They have been the cornerstone of my life and instilled the right values in me, it is easy to get distracted and misled in this world we live in, but because I was raised with the right morals and goals, I have lived by them and I am able to achieve,” he said.
The para-rowing team is now preparing for the impending Elite World Rowing Championship which is taking place in Aiguebelette, France from 30 August to 15 September.
