Rhydian Cowley
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Rhydian Cowley (athletics) finished 8th at his second Commonwealth Games at Birmingham in 2022 where race walks were held on the track over the 10,000m distance.
A regular on national teams since his international debut at the 2008 World Race Walking Cup, Rhydian was encouraged to join Little Athletics aged eight by his father and quickly progressed to the senior ranks.
Finishing 33rd in the 20km at his debut Olympics in Rio in 2016 (1:23:30) and 11th at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (1:26:12), Cowley searched for another gear and found it working under former racewalker Brent Vallance. He qualified for his second Olympic Games in Tokyo where he finished 8th in the 50km in 3:52:01.
2024 proved a stellar year. He set PBs in the 20km (1:18:33), 10,000m (38:13:51) and 35km (2:26:25) ahead of his third Olympics in Paris, where he and Jemima Montag created history by winning bronze in the inaugural Olympic marathon race walk relay. He also finished 12th in the 20km.
Cowley has also competed at five world championships since 2013.
Having completed a double degree in Arts (History) and Commerce (Economics) at Deakin University, Cowley works as an Administration Officer at Bush Heritage Australia. He is also an ambassador for EcoAthletes, a group ‘equipping climate-curious athletes to become climate leaders.’
Sport / Discipline
Athletics
Birth Place
Clayton
Birth state
VIC
Date of Birth
04/01/1991
Age
35
Gold Coast, 2018
Birmingham, 2022
Results History
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Additional Information
Are you a citizen of a country other than Australia? If yes, please provide details?
England
Education Details:
Finished with Bachelor of Arts/Commerce - Deakin Uni
Club details:
Glen Huntly Athletics Club
Why did you begin your sport?
I just love walking
Do you have any pre-competition routines or rituals?
Sleep a lot
What is your most memorable sporting achievement?
Being at the Olympics in Rio 2016 and having my family there to share the experience with me
Who is your hero / idol, and why? Have you ever met them?
Jarrod Tallent... great record of performing and standing up for clean sport.
Who has been the most influential person or people in your career and why?
Dad. Supportive and guiding force to make sure he was not burning out and best people to coach him.
Do you have any hobbies away from your sport?
Sleeping and Pokemon
What is your sporting ambition?
Doing better at the next Games and Olympics
