One extra year proved too much for Mahe Drysdale.
The dual Olympic gold medallist announced his retirement from rowing on Thursday after missing out on his last shot at selection for the New Zealand team to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
Drysdale had hoped to beat Jordan Parry – the 25-year-old named earlier this year in the NZ elite men’s team – in a series of three races at Lake Karapiro last week to convince the selectors he was worth naming to defend his two-time men’s single scull crown next month.
One extra year proved too much for Mahe Drysdale.
The dual Olympic gold medallist announced his retirement from rowing on Thursday after missing out on his last shot at selection for the New Zealand team to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
Drysdale had hoped to beat Jordan Parry – the 25-year-old named earlier this year in the NZ elite men’s team – in a series of three races at Lake Karapiro last week to convince the selectors he was worth naming to defend his two-time men’s single scull crown next month.
But Parry had the upper hand and Drysdale told Stuff he quickly came to terms that his lengthy, illustrious career was over.
“I feel good. It was the right decision – I haven’t had any regrets and am pleased with what I achieved.”
But he was left pondering how he would have fared had the Covid-19 pandemic postponed the 2020 Games.
“It effected me a lot.
