Advertisement
Singapore markets closed
  • Straits Times Index

    3,224.01
    -27.70 (-0.85%)
     
  • Nikkei

    40,369.44
    +201.37 (+0.50%)
     
  • Hang Seng

    16,541.42
    +148.58 (+0.91%)
     
  • FTSE 100

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • Bitcoin USD

    70,454.55
    -500.62 (-0.71%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,254.35
    +5.86 (+0.11%)
     
  • Dow

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • Nasdaq

    16,379.46
    -20.06 (-0.12%)
     
  • Gold

    2,254.80
    +16.40 (+0.73%)
     
  • Crude Oil

    83.11
    -0.06 (-0.07%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.2060
    +0.0100 (+0.24%)
     
  • FTSE Bursa Malaysia

    1,536.07
    +5.47 (+0.36%)
     
  • Jakarta Composite Index

    7,288.81
    -21.28 (-0.29%)
     
  • PSE Index

    6,903.53
    +5.36 (+0.08%)
     

Olympics-Croatian rowing brothers seek second gold in different event

Croatia rowers Martin Sinkovic and Valent Sinkovic are seen during practice in improvised gym in hotel Alkar for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Sinj

By Antonio Bronic

SINJ, Croatia (Reuters) - Croatian siblings and Olympics rowing champions Martin and Valent Sinkovic are chasing a second gold in Tokyo but have made it tougher for themselves by changing discipline.

The Sinkovic brothers won the men's double sculls event at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but for Japan they have changed to sweep rowing, where each holds one oar with both hands.

"This is a new, slower discipline and it's difficult to find a balance," Valent Sinkovic told Reuters from the town of Sinj where they are based while training on Lake Peruca.

"This was challenging, especially in the beginning. There was a lot of nervousness but we have survived."

ADVERTISEMENT

His brother Martin said changing disciplines was not common in rowing but that gave them motivation.

"It took time though," he acknowledged.

As their hotel does not have a gym, one of its offices has been turned into a makeshift gym, so the duo lift weights in a small space next to a wall of documents and folders.

The brothers said they are in good shape because they could train normally now coronavirus lockdowns were over. The postponement of the Olympics for one year had even helped.

"We have got even more time to practice sweep rowing," Martin laughed.

(Reporting by Antonio Bronic; Writing by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)