Caleb Antill
ANU Boat Club (ACT)
Caleb Antill, from Canberra, has always been driven by an unyielding passion for rowing. A graduate of Canberra Grammar School and the Australian National University (ANU), Caleb’s career began with a breakthrough moment in 2015 when he won his first national title in the Under-21 Men’s Double Scull. But it wasn’t just the victory that fuelled him—it was the relentless pursuit of excellence, the fire that would push him to the world stage.
In 2016, Caleb made his international debut at the Under-23 World Championships in the Men’s Quad Scull. From the start, the crew showed their dominance, winning the heat and semi-final with ease. By the time they lined up for the final, they were the team to beat. And they didn’t disappoint. Caleb and his crew led from start to finish, holding off the formidable New Zealand crew in a thrilling final 500m. As they crossed the line, they not only became Under-23 World Champions—they became legends in their own right.
2016 World Under 23 Championships finish - Caleb in two seat
2017 was a pivotal year. Caleb was selected to train at the National Training Centre while continuing to compete at the Under-23 level. At the National Championships, he triumphed in the Under-23 Single Scull, Double Scull, and the Senior Quad. He was on fire, unstoppable. Later that year, he was chosen to race the Single Scull at the Under-23 World Championships. Expectations were high, and the pressure was immense. But despite his best efforts, Caleb crossed the line sixth, well behind where he had hoped to be. It was a crushing defeat, but one that only fueled his resolve to come back stronger.
In 2018, Caleb earned his place in the Senior Men’s Quad for the international season. He faced stiff competition, finishing fourth and fifth in the World Cup events. But when the World Championships rolled around, the crew had found their groove. After a strong repechage win, they entered the final with a fire in their bellies. Despite sitting in sixth place at the 1,000m mark, the Australians never gave up. With a surge of heart and grit, they powered through the field to claim silver—just a few seconds behind the Italian crew and within striking distance of the World Record. It was a performance that embodied everything Caleb stood for: determination, grit, and the belief that no challenge was too big to overcome.
2019 brought another national title in the Quad Scull, but it was also a year of near-misses. At the World Cup season, Caleb and his crew earned silver at World Cup II and finished fourth at World Cup III. But the real heartbreak came later that season at the World Championships. Caleb and his Double Scull partner narrowly missed qualifying for the A Final by just a second. The race was a heart-wrenching reminder of how the smallest margins can define a season. That near-miss, that agony of falling short, was something Caleb would never forget—and something that would drive him in the years to come.
In 2021, Caleb was selected for the Tokyo Olympics as part of the Men’s Quad. It was the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and countless hours on the water. At his first Olympics, the Australian crew came through the heat with a strong second-place finish, advancing directly to the A Final. The conditions were challenging, the water rough, but Caleb’s crew stayed focused. As other teams faltered, the Australians stayed strong. With a powerful push in the final 500m, they surged from fourth to third, claiming the bronze medal in a race that saw the Netherlands set a new world record. It was a moment of triumph, a testament to Caleb’s resilience and relentless pursuit of greatness.
In 2022, Caleb added another national title to his collection in the Men’s Quad Scull before spending the season racing the Double Scull alongside Jack Cleary. The duo was unstoppable, winning bronze in a thrilling photo finish against the Dutch. Their success carried them to Henley, where they took home the Double Scull Challenge Cup. But just when everything seemed perfect, sickness struck the crew before World Cup III, and Jack had to sit out. Caleb teamed up with reserve David Bartholot, and the pair raced valiantly, finishing just one second off gold. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Caleb knew that every setback was just another opportunity to rise.
The World Championships that year brought more heartbreak. Caleb and David led the final for a time, but fatigue set in, and they slipped to third, claiming bronze. It wasn’t the gold they had dreamed of, but it was a hard-earned medal—a reminder that no journey to the top is without its struggles.
Caleb and David in the Double Scull - Photo copyright Rowing Australia
In 2023, Caleb claimed two national titles, one in the Men’s Single Scull and another in the Double Scull. But it was the international season that would test his resolve once more. The Men’s Quad struggled at World Cup II, finishing sixth in the A Final. At World Cup III, they came agonizingly close to a podium finish, finishing fourth. Injuries within the team forced a reshuffle, and despite the changes, the crew couldn’t find the speed they needed at the World Championships, finishing 11th and missing out on Olympic qualification. It was a devastating blow, but Caleb’s passion never wavered. He knew this wasn’t the end—it was just another chapter in his journey.
In 2024, Caleb added another national title to his name in the Quad, bringing his total to four national titles. He was selected for the international season, and the crew placed fifth at World Cup I. The Final Olympic Qualification Regatta was the ultimate test: win or face the end of the Olympic dream. In the heat, the Australians posted the fastest time, and everything seemed within reach. But in the final, the pressure proved too much. The crew struggled to find their rhythm and finished sixth, missing out on Olympic qualification by the smallest of margins. It was a crushing defeat, but Caleb’s spirit was unbroken.
Throughout his career, Caleb Antill has been defined by his passion, his relentless work ethic, and his unwavering determination to never back down from a challenge. He has been an intense trainer, a fierce competitor, and a bold racer, always stepping up when it matters most—at the big regattas, the tough selections, and the moments when everything is on the line. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, the drive to keep pushing forward, no matter the setbacks, and the belief that, with enough heart, anything is possible.
Some Rowing Highlights
2015 National Championship Under 21 Men’s Double Scull – First
2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Quad Scull – First
2017 National Championship Men’s Open Quad Scull – First
2017 National Championship Under 23 Men’s Single Scull – First
2017 National Championship Under 23 Men’s Double Scull – First
2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Single Scull – Sixth
2018 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Quad Scull – Fourth
2018 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Quad Scull – Fifth
2018 World Rowing Championship Men’s Quad Scull – Second
2019 National Championship Men’s Open Quad Scull – First
2019 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Quad Scull – Second
2019 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Quad Scull – Fourth
2019 World Rowing Championship Men’s Double Scull – twelfth
2021 National Championship Men’s Open Quad Scull – First
2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Men’s Quad Scull – Third
2022 National Championship Men’s Open Quad Scull – First
2022 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Double Scull – Third
2022 Henley Royal Regatta Double Sculls Challenge Cup – First
2022 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Double Scull – Second
2022 World Rowing Championship Men’s Double Scull – Third
2023 National Championship Open Men’s Single Scull – First
2023 National Championship Open Men’s Double Scull – First
2023 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Quad Scull – Sixth
2023 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Quad Scull – Fourth
2023 World Rowing Championship Men’s Quad Scull – Eleventh
2024 National Championship Men’s Open Quad Scull – First
2024 World Rowing Cup I Men’s Quad Scull – Fifth
2024 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta Men’s Quad Scull – Sixth
Jack Hargreaves
December 2024