Alexander Purnell OAM
Sydney University Boat Club (NSW)
Alex Purnell OAM’s journey in rowing is one defined by relentless drive, exceptional talent, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. He began his journey at Shore School in Sydney, where he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Nick. In his final year at Shore, Alex etched his name into school history by winning the coveted Head of the River, a triumph that would serve as the first of many. But this was just the beginning.
In the year after finishing school, Alex quickly made his mark in the national scene, securing his first national title with the Sydney University Boat Club (SUBC) in the U19 Men’s Quad Scull. At those same Nationals, Alex, alongside future crewmate Jack Hargreaves, represented New South Wales in the Youth Eight, and the duo powered their crew to a dominant victory. These early victories set the stage for bigger things to come. Alex’s impressive results earned him a spot in the Australian Junior Men’s Quad, which finished 11th at the World Rowing Junior Championships—a stepping stone in his ascent to the senior ranks.
In 2014, Alex’s unrelenting pursuit of success took him to the U23 level, where he helped SUBC secure the national championship in the Men’s Eight. He would repeat that triumph in 2015 and also clinch his second Interstate Youth Eight victory. That same year, he was selected to row in the U23 Men’s Quad at the World Championships, where the crew captured a bronze medal—Alex’s first taste of international glory.
But Alex’s hunger for success didn’t stop there. In 2016, he made the bold decision to switch to sweep rowing, a move that would prove pivotal. At the U23 World Championships, Alex and the Men’s Eight crew finished in 8th place. However, 2017 marked a watershed year in Alex’s career. As stroke of the NSW Men’s Eight, he led the crew to victory in the King’s Cup for the first time in two years, marking the beginning of an extraordinary run. That year, he was selected to race at World Cup II in the senior Men’s Eight, where the crew placed 4th in the final. World Cup III saw Alex join the Men’s Four, and together they raced to a nail-biting second-place finish behind the formidable Germans. At his first senior World Championships, Alex and his crew finished 8th, but it was clear that the foundation had been laid for something special.
2017 King's Cup win
In 2018, Alex's determination only grew stronger. He secured another King’s Cup victory for NSW and switched back to sculling for the international season. At World Cup II, the Men’s Quad finished 4th, but it was at the Henley Royal Regatta that Alex truly made his mark. Joining the Men’s Eight for the Grand Challenge Cup, he and his crew made history, setting a new course record and becoming the fastest eight to ever race at Henley. Back in the Men’s Quad for World Cup III, Alex and his crew fought fiercely to finish 5th in a thrilling final. But it was at the World Championships that Alex's relentless pursuit of excellence truly paid off—he and the Quad clinched a silver medal, a moment of pride that marked his first senior World Championship medal.
The following year, 2019, saw Alex and NSW achieve a remarkable third consecutive King’s Cup victory, underscoring his dominance on the national stage. He was selected for the Men’s Quad for World Cups II and III, where the crew won silver and placed 4th, respectively. After those regattas, the Australian selectors moved Alex back to the Men’s Eight, where the crew just missed a bronze medal at the World Championships, finishing 4th. However, their performance secured the all-important Olympic qualification for the Tokyo Games.
In 2021, Alex achieved one of his greatest dreams. He won the Men’s Four at the national titles and was selected to represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, marking his first Olympic Games. What followed was nothing short of historic: Alex and his brother Nick became the first brothers to row at the Olympics since the Stewart brothers. At the Tokyo Games, the Men’s Four not only won gold for the first time since 1996 but also set a new Olympic record. It was a monumental achievement—one that saw Alex’s name forever etched into Australian sporting history. On Australia Day 2022, he and his teammates were awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition of their extraordinary accomplishment.
Olympic Champion - Alex on the podium of the Tokyo Olympic Games
In 2022, Alex’s reign continued. He won the Men’s Four at nationals for a second consecutive year, followed by another King’s Cup victory. With his sights set on the international stage, Alex and his crew won World Cup II before heading to Henley to race in the Stewards' Challenge Cup, where they triumphed once again. At World Cup III, they finished 2nd before returning to Australia to prepare for the World Championships. But in a dramatic final, the British Men’s Four proved to be too strong, and Alex and his crew claimed silver, marking his second senior World Championship medal.
2022 World Championships
2023 saw another banner year for Alex. At the national titles, he dominated all three events he entered, winning the Open Men’s Pair, Four, and King’s Cup. The Tokyo Men’s Four reunited and secured two silver medals behind the world champion British crew. At the World Championships, the crew’s form dipped, and they finished 5th in the final. However, they had done enough to qualify the boat for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, cementing their place in rowing history.
In 2024, Alex completed an extraordinary hat-trick, winning the Men’s Four for the third consecutive year. He also claimed the Open Men’s Eight title, solidifying his status as one of the country’s premier rowers. He was selected for the Men’s Eight at the Paris Olympics, where the crew finished 4th at World Cup II and clinched gold at World Cup III. But at his second Olympic Games, the competition proved fierce, and despite a valiant effort, Alex and the crew finished 6th in the A Final.
Alex is widely known as one of the hardest-working, most dedicated athletes at the National Training Centre. His consistency, his willingness to sacrifice, and his unrelenting pursuit of excellence are the hallmarks of a career that has inspired a generation of athletes. After the 2024 Olympics, Alex has taken time to reflect on his future in the sport, but one thing is certain: his legacy, built on years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice, will endure long after he hangs up his oars
Some rowing highlights
2012 AAGPS Head of the River – First
2013 National Championship U19 Men’s Quad Scull – First
2013 National Championship Interstate Men’s Youth Eight – First
2013 World Rowing Junior Championship Men’s Quad – Eleventh
2014 National Championship U23 Men’s Eight – First
2015 National Championship U23 Men’s Eight – First
2015 National Championship Interstate Men’s Youth Eight – First
2015 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Quad – Third
2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Eight – Eighth
2017 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – First
2017 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Fourth
2017 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Second
2017 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Eighth
2018 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – First
2018 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Quad Scull – Fourth
2018 Henley Royal Regatta the Grand Challenge Cup – First
2018 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Quad Scull – Fifth
2018 World Rowing Championship Men’s Quad – Second
2019 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – 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 Eight – Fourth
2021 National Championship Men’s Coxless Four – First
2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Men’s Coxless Four – First
2022 National Championship Men’s Coxless Four – First
2022 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – First
2022 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Four – First
2022 Henley Royal Regatta Stewards Challenge Cup – First
2022 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Four – Second
2022 World Rowing Championship Men’s Four – Second
2023 National Championship Men’s Coxless Pair - First
2023 National Championship Men’s Coxless Four – First
2023 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – First
2023 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Four – Second
2023 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Four – Second
2023 World Rowing Championship Men’s Four – Fifth
2024 National Championship Men’s Coxless Four – First
2024 National Championship Men’s Coxed Eight – First
2024 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Fourth
2024 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – First
2024 Paris Olympic Games Men’s Eight – Sixth
Jack Hargreaves
December 2024