GB win most medals at Worlds as Henry takes silver

Lauren Henry said she was “sad” to miss out on a first ever women’s single sculls gold for Great Britain after being edged out by Ireland’s Fiona Murtagh in a photo finish on the final day of the Rowing at the world championships Championships in Shanghai.

Britain won eight golds, four silvers, and one bronze medal, making it its eighth overall at the championships. This is the most of any competing nation.

Only the Netherlands won four gold medals overall, only the Netherlands.

While 30-year-old Murtagh had never previously won a major regatta, Henry, 23, had won a medal in every international race she entered this year.

However, Murtagh held on as Henry reeled her in in the final 500 meters before the Briton eventually lost by 0.03 seconds after opening a massive lead with a blistering start.

It’s disappointing, but Henry said, “I’m obviously really pleased I came away with a medal.”

It’s sad to miss out on less than a centimeter because I promised to come here for the gold.

Murtagh paid tribute to “phenominal athlete” Henry, describing her shock when her name appeared as the winner.

She told Rowing at the world championships: “I dug deep and crossed the line and we were right beside each other, I really didn’t know who’d won it until I looked at the screen and saw my name. I’ve never won a major regatta. This is huge and I’m in shock.”

The British team’s director of performance, Louise Kingsley, praised the championships as a successful “start to the LA cycle” because GB rowers want to compete in Los Angeles in 2028.