BEN CANHAM HAS BEEN A NATIONAL ROWING TEAM REPRESENTATIVE FOR AUSTRALIA SINCE 2019.
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WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPORT?
My sporting journey started in Elementary school in Illinois, USA, playing basketball at recess and lunch with my friends. After moving around the world with my family I was introduced to rowing at Brighton Grammar School under the leadership of Sandy Mitchell in year 9. I split my time evenly between AFL, basketball and rowing. The challenges and team-oriented nature that is unique to rowing, ultimately lead to my rowing journey becoming a passion and the beginning of an Olympic dream.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE, AND WHY?
This is always a tricky one to pick but right now as it is still relatively fresh I am going to have to pick the 2022 World Championship final. After having a bit of a rocky start in our heat, not putting down our best performance, we were able to use the repechage as a springboard into the final. It was great to be able to come away from my first senior World Championship with a medal in the men's eight.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR SPORT, AND WHAT DID IT TEACH YOU?
One of the toughest challenges I have faced in rowing is injury management. I was a victim of the “tough it out” mentality and tried to push through the pain and discomfort of an injury when in hindsight looking to understand what was going on in my body and causing pain through the use of my support services would have reduced time away from the sport and kept me on the water and in the boat with my teammates.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? WHAT KEEPS YOU GETTING UP EVERY MORNING?
I like the idea of working towards bettering myself every day, this can be both a challenge and a struggle. Day after day, week after week, and ultimately month after month it is bettering myself as a person, as a teammate and as an individual that keeps me getting out of bed when the alarm goes off.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNGER ATHLETES ENTERING THE SPORT ASPIRING GREATNESS ON THE WORLD STAGE?
You are only as good as those you surround yourself with. A supportive network of friends and family complimented by coaches who push you out of your comfort zone are going to be key for the growth of both the person and athlete you want to become.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF YOUR SPORT? INTERESTS? CAREER?
Currently, I am completing my Bachelor of Industrial Design which I am hoping to finish in the next twelve months. Outside of that, when I have the time or energy, I am a very outdoorsy person. I like to surf, fish and bike.
