Graham Benton
Encyclopedia
In 2004 Graham Benton become the first "non-rower" to win the men's open event at the British Indoor Rowing Championships
, an event dominated until that time by Olympic water rowers such as Matthew Pinsent
(who won in 2003), James Cracknell
(second in 2003), and Jamie Schroeder
(who won in 2002).
Graham has since gone on to win the Men's Open event at the British Indoor Rowing Championships
in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, and on each occasion faster than Matthew Pinsent's winning time in 2003.
In addition, he became the first GB rower since Sir Steve Redgrave to win the Men's Open event at the World Indoor Rowing Championships in 2006. He had previously won the 30-39 Event in 2004 and 2005.
Graham began as purely a gym rower, hence being the first "non-rower" to win at the British Championship, but has since taken up water rowing in the hope of making the Olympics.
His potential in the sport of indoor rowing was noticed as early as his first race in Portsmouth in 2002 where he pulled a 2000m time of 6:03.9, only narrowly losing to future MAD Team team-mate, Nik Fleming. Graham commented to Concept2 in those early days his ambition to reduce his 2000m time to 5minutes 50seconds, which he has since surpassed by quite some margin becoming one of the fastest ergers in the world with his 5:42.5 2000m time clocked at the 2007 British Indoor Rowing Championships
. This is the fastest time ever recorded by a Briton in competition and a mere 0.2 seconds away from Sir Matthew Pinsent's British Record 5:42.3.
Graham's indoor rowing coach is Eddie Fletcher of Fletcher Sport Science whose rowers have won over 75 medals at the British Indoor Rowing Championships since 2001.
British Indoor Rowing Championships
The British Indoor Rowing Championships is an indoor rowing event organised by Concept2. It first began in 1991 with the first event held in Henley-on-Thames attracting 200 competitors. Over the years it outgrew all of its venues and has been held since 2000 at the National Indoor Arena in...
, an event dominated until that time by Olympic water rowers such as Matthew Pinsent
Matthew Pinsent
Sir Matthew Clive Pinsent CBE is an English rower and broadcaster. During his rowing career, he won 10 world championship gold medals and four consecutive Olympic gold medals, of which three were with Steve Redgrave...
(who won in 2003), James Cracknell
James Cracknell
James Cracknell, OBE is a British rowing champion and double Olympic gold medalist and adventurer. Cracknell is married to TV and radio presenter Beverley Turner; they have three children. In the New Year Honours List, 2004, he was appointed OBE for services to sport...
(second in 2003), and Jamie Schroeder
Jamie Schroeder
James Lee Schroeder Jr is an American rower, and a victorious Oxford Blue. He is married to fellow Stanford alum, Kelsey Twist...
(who won in 2002).
Graham has since gone on to win the Men's Open event at the British Indoor Rowing Championships
British Indoor Rowing Championships
The British Indoor Rowing Championships is an indoor rowing event organised by Concept2. It first began in 1991 with the first event held in Henley-on-Thames attracting 200 competitors. Over the years it outgrew all of its venues and has been held since 2000 at the National Indoor Arena in...
in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, and on each occasion faster than Matthew Pinsent's winning time in 2003.
In addition, he became the first GB rower since Sir Steve Redgrave to win the Men's Open event at the World Indoor Rowing Championships in 2006. He had previously won the 30-39 Event in 2004 and 2005.
Graham began as purely a gym rower, hence being the first "non-rower" to win at the British Championship, but has since taken up water rowing in the hope of making the Olympics.
His potential in the sport of indoor rowing was noticed as early as his first race in Portsmouth in 2002 where he pulled a 2000m time of 6:03.9, only narrowly losing to future MAD Team team-mate, Nik Fleming. Graham commented to Concept2 in those early days his ambition to reduce his 2000m time to 5minutes 50seconds, which he has since surpassed by quite some margin becoming one of the fastest ergers in the world with his 5:42.5 2000m time clocked at the 2007 British Indoor Rowing Championships
British Indoor Rowing Championships
The British Indoor Rowing Championships is an indoor rowing event organised by Concept2. It first began in 1991 with the first event held in Henley-on-Thames attracting 200 competitors. Over the years it outgrew all of its venues and has been held since 2000 at the National Indoor Arena in...
. This is the fastest time ever recorded by a Briton in competition and a mere 0.2 seconds away from Sir Matthew Pinsent's British Record 5:42.3.
Graham's indoor rowing coach is Eddie Fletcher of Fletcher Sport Science whose rowers have won over 75 medals at the British Indoor Rowing Championships since 2001.