Joseph O'Brien

Biography

Joseph 'Jack' O'Brien's journey in the world of rowing has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Born in Dubbo and raised in Walgett, Joseph’s rowing career kicked off at St Joseph's College in Hunters Hill. Initially, not the sport he intended to pursue, he quickly stood out for his remarkable talent on the water.

He first competed for New South Wales at the youth level and then earned a spot on the Australian team for the U23 World Championships. His solid performance granted him the opportunity to compete at the senior level in the World Championships in Poland. By 2019, his talents had secured him a spot in the men's sweep squad, prepping for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Joseph showed his prowess as part of the men’s four, securing gold at two of the World Rowing Cups and qualifying for Tokyo. However, the pandemic-delayed games saw him switch gears to join the men's eight squad. The team fought hard but finished in sixth place in the final.

In 2022, he returned to the men's four and found success, contributing to Australia's impressive runs in multiple World Rowing Cups. Despite narrowly missing out on a permanent spot in the four in 2023, he demonstrated his versatility by excelling in both the men's pair and men's eight events.

Joseph continued to prove his mettle in 2024, consistently competing and training with the men's eight, exemplifying his unwavering dedication and passion for rowing.