Rowan
Crothers

Rowan Crothers first proved he is a force to be reckoned with when, at just 16, he swam the race of his life to win gold in the men’s 100m freestyle S9 in a world record time of 54.58 at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Having also clinched victory over Australia’s most successful Paralympian, Matt Cowdrey, the race remains a defining moment in Rowan’s career, laying the foundation to achieve his ultimate goal of representing his country at a Paralympic Games.

This followed a standout debut for Australia at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships in Montréal, Canada, where Rowan won gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle 34 Points and bronze in the men’s 100m freestyle S9.

A shock reclassification from S9 to S10 ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games was a major adjustment for Rowan, but his incredible natural ability proved enough to not only earn selection to the Australian Team, but reach the finals in all four of his events at the Games – Rowan placed fifth in the men’s 100m freestyle S10 and men’s 4x100m freestyle 34 Points, and sixth in the men’s 50m freestyle S10 and men’s 400m freestyle S10.

In 2019, he won bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle S10 and 100m freestyle S10 events at the 2019 World Championships in London.

Rowan returned from his second Games at Tokyo 2020 with two gold and one silver medal. Rowan took out gold in the men’s 50m freestyle S10, touching the wall in 23.21 to clinch his first Paralympic medal. He added to his medal haul again in the 100m freestyle S9 when he claimed silver, finishing in 51.37 behind the Ukraine’s Maksym Krypak. He swam the lead-off leg of the Australia’s 4 x100m freestyle relay 34 points – with the team smashing the world record by nearly two seconds to win in 3:44.31.

As passionate about Para-swimming as Rowan is, it is in another sport – Para-athletics – that he finds his greatest source of inspiration. In 2003, wheelchair racer Geoff Trappett admitted to a false start that had gone unnoticed by officials, one which would otherwise have seen him set a new world record. For Rowan, this incredible display of honesty and integrity is something which he would like to emulate in his own career.