Fresh from his appearance with Tony Robinson on Channel 5 last night, (recorded back in the summer) Kingsley is working hard with his strength and conditioning coach, Roddy and the PB’s are coming thick and fast. However, with reports of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics being postponed again weighing on his mind Kingsley has made the tough decision to pair back his training programme.
After nearly 2 years training for an Olympic Games, which is still unknown as to weather it will go ahead, Kingsley has made the decision to balance his training alongside his work as a developer. If the games don’t go ahead this year, they will have to be cancelled until Paris in 2024 and Japan will have to apply again for the next available year in 2032. With the current pandemic conditions so different around the world, it isn’t just a case of how Japan would prepare but weather the qualifying countries and their athletes would even be able to travel.
“It would be a real blow to everyone who has trained so hard to compete, but obviously we appreciate the reasons behind any decision that has to be made.”
“It would be a real blow to everyone who has trained so hard to compete, but obviously we appreciate the reasons behind any decision that has to be made. There is just one glimmer of hope which is the 2021 World Rowing European Olympic and Paralympic Continental Qualification Regatta which is still scheduled to take place in Italy in April. If this goes ahead then the qualifying teams and rowers will have secured their places for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, so we are just keeping everything crossed.”
The thought of having to wait another three years to complete in the Games would be a real blow to any athlete, especially after the commitment that goes into training, however Kingsley, as usual, is remaining positive. “I always said I would only do one Games because the training is so gruelling and takes such a lot out, not just on your body but of your life, however, if Tokyo doesn’t go ahead then there is no way I am missing out on the opportunity to qualify for Paris. I said I would do one Games and I will do one Games!”
“Rowing is a sport that when we are in the boat, we are notable bodied or disabled rowers, we are all just rowers, out on the water doing what we love.”
Kingsley’s passion for the sport is real, his dedication never ending and his enthusiasm infectious. While his training pairs back a little to allow time for the day job as well, Kingsley is still making time for his Zoom Ergos calls every Friday and passing on his training tips and techniques to rowers around the world over video. “There are usually around 45 other rowers on each call and I’ve been excited to see several who row with chest straps just like me. Rowing is a sport that when we are in the boat, we are notable bodied or disabled rowers, we are all just rowers, out on the water doing what we love.”