Josh Hicks
Originally from WA but Sydney Rowing Club (NSW) became his home club
Josh Hicks, a proud Western Australian, was educated at Trinity College in Perth, where he discovered his passion for rowing. It didn’t take long for his talent to shine through, and he soon claimed his first national title in the Under-19 Coxless Four. That same year, he earned a coveted spot on the Australian Junior Team in the Coxed Four. At the World Championships, Josh and his teammates rowed with relentless determination, earning a silver medal in the A Final. These remarkable results helped secure a rowing scholarship to Harvard University, where he competed in the varsity crew, a stepping stone in his journey toward international success.
2009 World Junior Championships -Josh second from right
Josh’s next chapter in the green and gold came in 2012, when he raced for the Australian Under-23 team in the Coxless Four. This crew, made up of athletes from the U.S. college system, made their mark by winning the Stewards’ Challenge Cup at the Royal Henley Regatta. The team carried that momentum to the Under-23 World Championships, where they powered through to the A Final. In a gripping race, Josh and the crew fought tooth and nail with the German team for the gold. In the end, they were narrowly edged out, but the silver was a testament to their grit and resilience.
After completing his studies at Harvard in 2013, Josh returned to Australia to race for Sydney Rowing Club. The following year, he clinched the national title in the Men’s Coxless Four and was selected for the senior Men’s Eight for the international season. At his first senior regatta, Josh made it to the A Final at World Cup 3 and finished a strong sixth. At the 2014 World Championships, the Men’s Eight missed the A Final by a hair but showed their strength by dominating the B Final, leaving no doubt about their capabilities.
In 2015, Josh reclaimed the national title in the Coxless Four, and his win in the Coxed Four with Sydney Rowing Club added another feather to his cap. That year, Josh was named reserve for the Australian team, which meant no international racing—but his resolve never wavered. At the 2015 World Championships, the Men’s Eight failed to qualify for the Olympics, so the crew faced a tense Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in 2016. Despite a strong start, the crew fell just short, finishing fourth. Josh, however, showed his adaptability when he stepped in as stroke for the Men’s Four at World Cup 2. He led the boat from the start, and it seemed like victory was within reach. But a heartbreaking technical mishap allowed the British crew to slip past and claim gold, leaving Australia with silver. Still, the medal marked Josh’s first senior international podium.
The Rio Olympics came next, where Josh was again named reserve. While he didn’t race, the experience fuelled his fire. In 2017, he was selected to train full-time at the newly established Men’s National Training Centre in Canberra, and the results came fast. Josh won the national title in the Men’s Pair and was soon selected for the Men’s Four, Australia’s flagship boat. The Four had an incredible season, winning at World Cup 2 and remaining unbeaten. At World Cup 3, they were narrowly defeated by the Germans in a thrilling final, but their chemistry and cohesion as a crew were undeniable. At the World Championships, they were the team to beat. Josh and the Four took control early, stretching their lead from the 250m mark, and they held on to win gold—Australia’s first Men’s Four World Championship title since 1991. The victory was a culmination of years of hard work, passion, and sacrifice, and the crew’s performance was celebrated with the prestigious World Rowing Men’s Crew of the Year award.
2017 World Rowing Crew of the Year - Josh on the left hand side
In 2018, Josh added another title to his name, winning the Men’s Coxed Four. He was then selected to defend the Men’s Four World Championship title, and the crew delivered. At World Cup 2, they cruised to victory, and then, in a dramatic shift, moved into the Eight for the Royal Henley Regatta. The Australian Eight stormed through the Grand Challenge Cup, defeating the British crew and setting a new course record. On the final day of racing, they triumphed over Romania in a stunning display of power and determination, setting yet another new record. Back in the Four at World Cup 3, Josh and the team dominated, stretching the field and winning by open water. At the World Championships, the Four again led from start to finish, securing their second consecutive World Championship title and further cementing their legacy. The Australian Men’s Four was named World Rowing Men’s Crew of the Year, a fitting recognition of their excellence.
Grand Challenge Cup winners enjoying the moment - Josh back left
In 2019, Josh was moved into the Men’s Eight but later transitioned to the Men’s Pair. Despite the challenges of switching boats, Josh and his partner fought their way to the A Final at the World Championships, where they earned a hard-earned bronze medal, the best result of any Australian crew.
The Tokyo Olympics in 2021 were the next milestone, where Josh and his partner Sam made their Olympic debut in the Men’s Pair. Their journey was filled with highs and lows, but despite a solid heat and semi-final, they couldn’t make the A Final and had to settle for the B Final, finishing 10th overall. It was a tough experience, but it fueled Josh’s drive to return even stronger.
After taking a year off, Josh came back in 2023 with a renewed focus. He was selected for the Men’s Eight and helped the crew to a silver medal at World Cup 2. At World Cup 3, they stormed to victory, leading from the start and claiming gold. At the World Championships, Josh and the Eight progressed straight to the A Final after winning their heat, and although they led the race up to the 1000m mark, they finished third to claim a bronze medal and qualify for the Paris Olympics.
In 2024, Josh capped off his incredible career by winning the Open Men’s Eight at the Nationals, an achievement that made him the only rower to have won every sweep event at the Nationals. He was selected for the Men’s Eight in the Paris Olympics, finishing fourth at World Cup 2 and winning gold at World Cup 3, the final regatta before the Olympics. But just before the Olympic Final, disaster struck Josh came down with food poisoning and was forced to withdraw from the race, leaving him heartbroken and unable to fulfill his dream of competing in the final.
Beyond his impressive athletic career, Josh has also contributed to the sport as a member of the Athlete Commission for Rowing Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee. Known for his tireless work ethic, unwavering competitiveness, and unbreakable spirit, Josh Hicks has become a symbol of dedication and perseverance in Australian rowing.
Some rowing highlights
2009 National Championship Under 19 Coxless Four – First
2009 World Rowing Championship Junior Coxed Four – Second
2012 Henley Royal Regatta the Stewards’ Challenge Cup – First
2012 World Rowing Championship Under 23 Coxless Four – Second
2014 National Championship Open Men’s Coxless Four – First
2014 World Rowing Cup Three Men’s Eight – Sixth
2014 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Seventh
2015 National Championship Open Men’s Coxless Four – First
2015 National Championship Open Men’s Coxed Four – First
2016 FISA European and Final Olympic Qualification Regatta – Fourth
2016 World Rowing Cup Two Men’s Coxless Four – Second
2016 World Rowing Cup Three Men’s Coxless Pair - Ninth
2017 National Championship Open Men’s Coxless Pair – First
2017 World Rowing Cup Two Men’s Coxless Four – First
2017 World Rowing Cup Three Men’s Eight – Second
2017 World Rowing Championship Men’s Coxless Four – First
2018 National Championship Open Men’s Coxed Four – First
2018 World Rowing Cup Two Men’s Coxless Four – First
2018 Royal Henley Regatta the Grand Challenge Cup – First
2018 World Rowing Cup Three Men’s Coxless Four – First
2018 World Rowing Championship Men’s Coxless Four – First
2019 World Rowing Cup Two Men’s Eight – Fifth
2019 World Rowing Cup Three Men’s Coxless Pair – Seventh
2019 World Rowing Championship Men’s Coxless Pair – Third
2021 National Championship Open Men’s Eight – First
2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Men’s Pair – Tenth
2023 World Rowing Cup Two Men’s Eight – Second
2023 World Rowing Cup Three Men’s Eight – First
2023 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Third
2024 National Championship Open Men’s Eight – First
2024 World Rowing Cup Two Men’s Eight – Fourth
2024 World Rowing Cup Three Men’s Eight – First
2024 Paris Olympic Games Men’s Eight – Sixth
Jack Hargreaves
December 2024