“We will attempt something unseen in the world of rowing,” the Sinković brothers proclaimed
Croatian Olympic gold medallists Martin and Valent Sinković have been untouchable for years in the double scull category of rowing. At their press conference on Wednesday, they announced big news: the brothers are sticking together, but changing discipline, Jutarnji List reported on November 17, 2016.
The famous double scull will become a coxless pair.
“We will attempt something unseen in the world of rowing. It will be a great challenge for us, after being undefeated for three years in our old discipline,” said Martin Sinković and explained media speculation of an early career ending were not accurate.
“We are too young to retire. We didn’t consider it at all or even individual careers. We want to continue together as that’s what we’re best at, but in a new discipline. We know there is plenty of hard work ahead, lots of training, but we will give it our best and attempt to make Croatia proud again.”
The Sinković brothers set a world record, won all world cups and European championships and in the end in Rio de Janeiro a gold Olympic medal, and now decided to make a great change. The decision was made together and then presented to their coach who also agreed.
“The decision was made in unison, my brother and I talked about it first and then informed the coach who also agreed as it is a challenge for him too,” Martin explained.
“For the last ten years they have been winning constantly, always at the top, but a relief was needed, some new content,” coach Nikola Bralić clarified the decision.
“For them it is unknown, but not news to me. I have already worked with a coxless pair with success. We began a week ago, still finding ourselves, but what I’ve seen is perspective and promising,” added Bralić.
“Until now they have been the game, not losing a race in four years, and are about to become the hunters. We decided to knowingly stop and keep the title of invincibility and turn to a new challenge,” Bralić said.
Asked by journalists of the possibility of a coxless four, Bralić answered that Damir Martin, silver single scull medallist from Rio is currently focused on skiff and want to be the best in that discipline.
Sinković brothers are not afraid of defeat in a new discipline.
“We are not unbeatable in our old discipline either. In sports one can always lose. For me it is a greater challenge to gain a win. We like to win, but losing is not the end of the world. Defeat is an integral part of sports,” said Martin.
Bralić pointed out Martin and Valent’s training, which is now technically more demanding, show a willpower like they had just started fresh and never won anything.
“Training used to be routine, but now they are absorbing everything as there is plenty to be learned,” he added.
The plan by Sinković brothers and their coach is to practice the discipline until the world championship to be held next September in Florida, and then decided what next.
The first competition in the new discipline will be Croatia Open held in April on Jarun lake, while the first official competition for the World Cup will be in May of next year in Belgrade.
