Deal rower Luke Moon wants more success after winning three medals at the Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney
Published: 08:00, 24 January 2013
Deal rower Luke Moon admitted the Australian Youth Olympic Festival would live long in his memory after returning from Down Under with three medals.
The 19-year-old headed to the Sydney International Regatta Centre with high hopes of winning medals in the single sculls, the quadruple scull and the men’s eight.
He began by doing so, although he had to settle for silver in the single sculls after being beaten to gold by compatriot Jack Beaumont.
Moon (pictured) didn’t stop there though and went on to win silver again in the quadruple sculls, this time alongside Beaumont, before rounding his campaign off with bronze in the eight.
Moon insists that his three-strong medal haul at the Festival was beyond any of his wildest dreams.
"Leaving the Australian Youth Olympic Festival with three medals is fantastic and it could have been even better really," said Moon.
"We were really confident heading into the quad and really should have won gold. We could have also done better in the eight but the race got away from us at the end and we just didn’t have that turn or pace.
"But I am still really happy with how I did and the highlight has to be racing Jack because I gave him a good race and it was really close.
"I knew I had him worried as I was pushing right until the end but he managed to hold on, and I am happy for him and it was good for us to both climb the podium."
This was Moon’s first taste of an Olympic-style event and the Deal teenager admitted the success had left him hungry for more.
"Although I have done a lot of rowing regattas before this was the first time I was involved in a multi-sport event and I really enjoyed it," he added.
"It is great to represent Team GB with the Olympic rings on your kit and now I have done it I just want to do it again and again now."
The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It works in partnership with sport national governing bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values. Visit www.olympics.org.uk
More by this author
Alex Hoad