From university fresher to World Championships

Cedol Dafydd had never come across rowing while growing up in north Wales.

But after first picking up an oar as a university fresher, the 24-year-old is now preparing to represent Great Britain in the men's quadruple sculls at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai (21-28 September).

His journey began almost by accident. Arriving at the University of Bath as a first-year student, Dafydd wandered past the rowing club stand at a freshers' fair and decided to give it a try.

"It was a complete chance decision," said Dafydd. "The people were welcoming, and it looked like something different. Before I knew it, I'd fallen in love with the sport."

Growing up in north Wales, Dafydd played rugby for Bangor RFC and tried his hand at a variety of sports. He was a talented runner and competed internationally at World Youth Cups and home internationals in long-distance events. Rowing, however, was never on the radar.

"I'd always been sporty," he said. "I swam, I ran, I played rugby – I pretty much had a go at anything going.

"But I'd never dreamed of rowing internationally. There just wasn't really the opportunity in north Wales."

Rapid rise through the ranks

Within just a few years, Dafydd had gone from novice to international. He pulled on a GB vest at development level in Germany and the Netherlands before making the step up to the senior squad.

"Looking back, it feels like a whirlwind," he added. "I never expected things to happen this fast."

"By the end of my first year at Bath, I'd had an international vest at development level," he explained. "That was my first taste of international rowing before stepping into senior selection the following year."

He admits his path into the sport was anything but planned. "To say that I'd dreamt of this since I was a kid would actually be a lie," said Dafydd.

"It kind of came out of nowhere – I just happened to be in the gym at the same time as my coach, Dan Harris, and met him by chance."

The lifestyle change was immediate. "My housemates were getting home from nights out just as I was getting up to go to training," Dafydd laughed.

"We were living completely different lives under the same roof. To see it paying off now, I think they're probably happy for me – even if they won't admit it."

Cedol Dafydd helped Great Britain secure the 2025 World Rowing Cup overall title after winning gold with the men's quadruple sculls in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Shanghai test

Dafydd now sits in the bow seat of the men's quadruple sculls, responsible for steering as well as rhythm and balance.

He will line up alongside Callum Dixon, Matthew Haywood and Rory Harris as the British crew aim to challenge for medals.

The heats get under way in Shanghai on Sunday, 21 September at 04:15 BST, with Britain hoping to lay down an early marker.

"We've probably put a bit of a target on our backs with the results we've had this year," he said. "But that's the motivation. Shanghai will be the biggest test yet – and we're ready for it."

And he makes no secret of his ambition. "I'd be lying if I said I'd be happy with anything but a win," said Dafydd.

"Obviously I'm proud just to be there, my first Worlds and all that, but a win is definitely within reach – and it's what we're going there for."

Eyes on Los Angeles 2028

With just two more World Championships between now and the next Olympic Games, Dafydd sees Shanghai as a vital stepping stone.

"LA feels far away, but in racing terms it's not," he said.

"After this World Champs we'll have two more, and then it's an Olympic year. If we can set a marker now, it will give us the standard to build on over the next four years."