Hamilton College's André Matias '11 (Luanda, Angola/Blair Academy [N.J.]) competed in the Under-23 World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, from July 23 to July 26.
Matias was entered in the lightweight men's single sculls and represented his home country of Angola. He finished in third place in the "E" final. Click here for results. Matias rowed in race numbers 8, 64, 99 and 150. Matias was one of 31 athletes competing for the lightweight men's single sculls title. More rowers were entered in that event than any other.
Matias started training for the championships in June in northern Portugal with the Portuguese national team. He is the first athlete from Angola to participate in these championships. His participation was supported by the Portuguese Rowing Federation.
More than 830 athletes from 56 nations took part in the championships this year. The event -- formerly known as the Nation's Cup -- started in 1976 with 65 rowers from 11 countries competing. The U-23 championships are often the first chance at international competition for young athletes supported by FISA's development program. FISA is the International Rowing Federation.
Matias rowed in the 2-seat for Hamilton's varsity eight as a sophomore. He is a two-time varsity letter winner.
