Alexander Hill
Adelaide Rowing Club (SA)
Alex Hill, hailing from South Australia, has become one of the most decorated and respected rowers in Australian history. With a career spanning more than a decade, Hill’s journey in rowing is defined by consistent excellence, extraordinary versatility across multiple boat classes, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. From his early successes in junior rowing to his triumphs at the Olympics, World Championships, and World Rowing Cups, Hill has firmly established himself as one of Australia’s premier athletes, embodying the qualities of resilience, leadership, and determination.
Hill’s rowing journey began in the early 2010s, where his talent quickly became apparent. In 2011, at just 19 years old, Hill marked his arrival on the national scene with a victory in the Men’s Under 19 Coxless Pair at the National Championships. This early success was quickly followed by a major international achievement: Hill and his crew claimed gold in the Men’s Coxed Four at the World Rowing Junior Championships. These victories foreshadowed what would become a stellar career, laying a strong foundation for his future in the sport.
By 2012, Hill was already making waves at the senior level. Competing in the Men’s Eight at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, Hill helped his crew secure a commendable third-place finish. This marked his first international podium at a major senior event, showcasing his potential as a key member of the national team.
2013 was a defining year in Hill’s development, as he claimed his first National Championship in the Men’s Under 23 Coxless Pair, further establishing himself as one of the brightest stars in Australian rowing. His international campaign saw mixed results: while his Men’s Coxless Pair finished second at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships, his Men’s Eight finished seventh at the World Rowing Championships, a result that fuelled his determination to continue improving.
That year, Hill also began to show his adaptability across boat classes. He helped Australia secure silver at World Rowing Cup I in the Men’s Coxless Four, followed by a tenth-place finish at World Rowing Cup III in the same discipline. These results demonstrated his versatility in both sweep rowing and sculling, a skill set that would prove invaluable in the years to come.
Hill’s breakthrough on the international scene came in 2014, when he played a key role in the Australian Men’s Eight’s victory at World Rowing Cup I. He also helped his crew win the Men’s Coxless Four at the same regatta. These wins, alongside strong finishes at World Rowing Cup III and the World Rowing Championships, demonstrated Hill’s growing reputation as a dependable and highly skilled athlete.
In 2015, Hill’s consistency at the top level continued. He contributed to the Men’s Coxless Four finishing second at the World Rowing Championships, with notable podium finishes at World Rowing Cup II and World Rowing Cup III. These performances solidified Hill’s place as a key member of the Australian senior rowing team, a team that was beginning to dominate the global scene.
The 2016 Rio Olympics marked the pinnacle of Hill’s career at that point. His inclusion in the Men’s Coxless Four was the culmination of years of hard work, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. Hill and his crew rowed to a hard-fought silver medal, cementing his place among the world’s elite rowers. It was a career-defining moment that showcased his ability to perform under pressure at the highest level of competition.
Throughout the year, Hill had already demonstrated his mettle, helping his crew win a bronze medal at World Rowing Cup III. But it was the Olympic silver that truly etched his name into the annals of Australian rowing. This moment was a testament to his years of dedication, resilience, and teamwork.
2016 Olympic Four with Alex on the right
In the years following the Rio Olympics, Hill’s form remained exceptional. In 2017, he helped lead the Men’s Coxless Four to victory at the National Championships and World Rowing Cup II, with further success at World Rowing Cup III and the World Rowing Championships, where the crew took first place. Hill’s ability to adapt to different boat classes continued to set him apart, as he also excelled in the Men’s Eight, with a second-place finish at World Rowing Cup III.
2018 was undoubtedly one of the most successful years in Hill’s career. His achievements were nothing short of remarkable. He won National Championship titles in the Men’s Single Scull, Men’s Double Scull, and Interstate Men’s Single Scull, establishing himself as one of the most versatile rowers in the country.
Internationally, Hill dominated in the Men’s Coxless Four, helping Australia win gold at World Rowing Cup II, World Rowing Cup III, and the World Rowing Championships. He also added a prestigious Royal Henley Regatta Grand Challenge Cup victory to his list of accolades. The 2018 World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria saw Hill and his crew secure the coveted first place, marking their status as the world’s top crew in the discipline.
Hill continued his dominance in 2019, where he won multiple National Championships, including in the Men’s Single Scull and Interstate Men’s Single Scull. His prowess in the Men’s Coxless Pair remained evident, as he secured gold at both World Rowing Cup II and III. Despite the challenges faced at the World Rowing Championships, where Hill’s Men’s Coxless Four finished sixth, his consistency at the World Rowing Cups showcased his ongoing form and commitment to success.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, delayed to 2021, became the next major milestone in Hill’s career. The Australian Men’s Coxless Four, with Hill in the crew, dominated the competition, winning the gold medal in what was a crowning achievement for both Hill and the sport of rowing in Australia. This victory added another Olympic medal to Hill’s impressive collection, making him one of the few Australian rowers to win multiple Olympic medals.
Tokyo Olympic Champion - Alex on the right
Hill continued to compete at the highest levels in 2022 and 2023. At the 2022 World Rowing Cup III, Hill and his crew earned second place in the Men’s Coxless Pair, followed by a fifth-place finish at the World Rowing Championships in the same discipline. The 2023 season saw more success as Hill secured second place at both World Rowing Cup II and III in the Men’s Coxless Four. At the 2023 World Rowing Championships, Hill’s crew finished in fifth place, again proving their competitiveness on the global stage.
Heading into 2024, Hill remains at the top of his game. He began the year by winning the Interstate Championship Men’s Single Scull and continuing his strong performances in the Men’s Coxless Four at World Rowing Cups II and III, securing second and fourth-place finishes. As Hill and his team prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics, they are determined to add to their growing list of achievements, with Hill’s leadership and experience likely to be pivotal in Australia’s quest for more Olympic success.
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2024 President Cup winner Alex
Alex Hill’s career has been a model of sustained excellence, and his journey in rowing will inspire future generations of athletes. From his early victories in junior rowing to his Olympic golds and World Championship titles, Hill’s versatility, resilience, and leadership have made him one of the world’s top rowers. His ability to thrive in multiple disciplines—whether in the Coxless Four, Coxless Pair, or Single Scull—has ensured his place as one of the most accomplished athletes of his generation.
As Hill heads toward the 2024 Paris Olympics, his legacy is already secure. His contributions to Australian rowing, his determination to push the limits of his potential, and his leadership both in and out of the boat will continue to influence the sport for years to come.
Some rowing highlights
2011 National Championship Men’s Under 19 Coxless Pair – First
2011 World Rowing Junior Championships Men’s Coxed Four – First
2012 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Eight – Third
2013 National Championship Men’s Under 23 Coxless Pair – First
2013 World Rowing Cup I Men’s Coxless Four – Second
2013 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Pair – Tenth
2013 Under 23 World Rowing Championships Men’s Coxless Pair – Second
2013 World Rowing Championships Men’s Eight – Seventh
2014 World Rowing Cup I Men’s Eight – First
2014 World Rowing Cup I Men’s Coxless Four – First
2014 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Sixth
2014 World Rowing Championships Men’s Eight – Seventh
2015 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Coxless Four – Fourth
2015 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Four – First
2015 World Rowing Championships Men’s Coxless Four – Second
2016 National Championship Open Men’s Coxless Pair – First
2016 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Four – Third
2016 Rio Olympics Games Men’s Coxless Four – Second
2017 National Championship Open Men’s Coxless Four – First
2017 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Coxless Four – First
2017 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Second
2017 World Rowing Championships Men’s Coxless Four – First
2018 National Championship Open Men’s Single Scull– First
2018 National Championship Open Men’s Double Scull– First
2018 National Championship Interstate Men’s Single Scull – First
2018 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Coxless Four – First
2018 Royal Henley Regatta the Grand Challenge Cup – First
2018 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Four – First
2018 World Rowing Championships Men’s Coxless Four – First
2019 National Championship Open Men’s Single Scull– First
2019 National Championship Interstate Men’s Single Scull – First
2019 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Coxless Pair – First
2019 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Pair – First
2019 World Rowing Championships Men’s Coxless Four – Sixth
2021 National Championships Men’s Coxless Pair – First
2021 National Championships Men’s Coxless Four – First
2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Men’s Coxless Four – First
2022 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Pair – Second
2022 World Rowing Championships Men’s Coxless Pair – Fifth
2023 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Coxless Four – Second
2023 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Four – Second
2023 World Rowing Championships Men’s Coxless Four – Fifth
2024 Interstate Championships. President's Cup for Interstate Men’s Single Scull – First
2024 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Coxless Four – Fourth
2024 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Coxless Four – Second
2024 Paris Olympic Games Men’s Coxless Four – Sixth
Jack Hargreaves
2024