Georgina Megan Brayshaw (born 14 October 1993) is a British professional rower and a member of the Great Britain Rowing Team. She is a double European champion, World champion and Olympic gold medallist.[1]
Serious Accident
At the age of 15, Georgina was involved in a serious horse-riding accident [2] that left her in a coma for nine days and resulted in paralysis on her left side. The accident occurred while she was galloping through a field, and she has no memory of the incident itself. Despite the severity of her injuries, which required her to relearn how to use the left side of her body, Georgina regained most bodily functions after a year and fueled her characteristic resilient attitude. "I just love proving people wrong" [3] has since become her catchphrase and went on to drive her athletic aspirations.
Career
Outset
Originally from Leeds, Brayshaw's introduction to rowing came during her second year at the University of Northampton. Despite not initially making the cut for the GB Start project, she continued to pursue the sport, joining Leeds Rowing Club after graduation and eventually securing a place in the GB Start Olympic Pathway Programme in 2014. Georgina quickly showed an aptitude for the sport and began climbing the ranks,[4] moving to Leander Club[5] in 2017, and joining the British Rowing Women's Squad [6] in 2020.
At the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Georgina and her team won Great Britain’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls boat class.[1]
Other Accolades
In February 2023, Brayshaw won the openweight women's single (W1X) category of GB Rowing open senior trials[9] in Boston Lincolnshire. As a result she was ranked no.1 senior women's team at this time.
Georgina currently holds the world record for the 5 km distance on the RP3 rowing machine[10] (Female, Open Category, Open Weight)
Major Achievements
2024
1st - Olympic Championships, Paris, France
1st - European Championships, Szeged, Hungary
1st - World Rowing Cup, Lucerne, Switzerland
2023
1st - World Championships, Belgrade, Serbia
3rd - European Championships, Bled, Slovenia
2nd - World Rowing Cup, Lucerne, Switzerland
2nd - World Rowing Cup, Varese, Italy
2022
3rd - World Championships, Racice, Czech Republic
1st - European Championships, Munich, Germany
2nd - World Rowing Cup, Lucerne, Switzerland.
Awards
In April 2024, Brayshaw was named Great Britain Rowing Team Women's Olympic Athlete of the Year [11]
