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australian rowers profiles and history

Ion Popa

Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC), Banks Rowing Club (VIC) then Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (VIC)

1981 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship stroke – Second
1982 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship stroke – Third
1983 – World Championships – Men’s Eight seven seat – Bronze
1984 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship seven seat – Third
1984 – Olympic Games – Men’s Eight seven seat – Bronze
1986 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship seven seat – First
1986 – World Championships – Men’s Eight seven seat – Gold
1986 – Commonwealth Games – Men’s Eight seven seat – Gold
1988 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship seven seat – First
1988 – Olympic Games – Men’s Eight seven seat – Fifth
1991 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship seven seat – First

1986 World Champion Eight - Ion in seven seat

Ion was a member of the Romanian rowing team and a member of its police force prior to defecting to Australia in 1978. His great friend, and fellow rower and Romanian immigrant, Ted Sorani, helped him a lot when he arrived in Melbourne. The friendship between the two was superb. He married fellow rowing Olympian Sue Chapman in 1984.

Andrew Guerin 2010

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