Ben Washburne, an American rower, was born on April 17, 2001. He won the PR3 mixed four with coxswain (Gold) in the 2023 Para Rowing Regatta to Paris and the DIII Second Varsity Eight in the 2023 IRA National Championship.
In addition, he qualified for the Paralympics in Paris after winning the Silver Medal in the PR3 Mixed Four at the 2023 World Championship alongside the coxswain.
Ben Washburne qualifies for the Paris Paralympics 2024
Ben Washburne, a 2023 graduate of Williams College, participated in the World Rowing Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia. He and his teammates secured silver medals in their event. Additionally, Ben won the PR3 Men’s Single event at the Fall Speed Order competition.
During the first quarter of the race at the World Championships, five out of the six participating teams from various countries were neck-and-neck. However, in the last 500 meters, as Washburne heard the crowd cheering “USA, USA, USA” at the finish line, the American rowers consolidated their second-place position, finishing only three seconds behind the British team.
By winning this silver medal, Washburne and his crew have qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France. Washburne made his debut with the national team this past summer, where he won a silver medal in the PR3 Mixed Four event. He is currently training intending to retain his place in the boat for the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games next year.
“Once we got across, it took me a second to process,” He was taking home a silver medal at the world championships for rowing, and in the process, he cemented his boat’s spot in the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.
Washburne said.
Ben Washburne was very determined in his Early Age
Benjamin Washburne, known as Ben, was born on April 17, 2001, in Madison, Connecticut, USA. He currently resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ben stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) and weighs 185 pounds (83 kg). He graduated from Williams College in 2023 with degrees in Physics and Economics.
Ben enjoys hobbies such as fishing, traveling, eating delicious food, and learning new things. He is a passionate fan of the Denver Broncos football team, a lover of country music, and has a strong liking for sweet treats. Ben’s father rowed in college and encouraged him to take up the sport. He considers his grandfather, Walter Koski, as his personal hero because Walter overcame poverty and hardships as an immigrant through sheer hard work and determination.
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Later in life, Walter suffered a devastating stroke that left half of his body paralyzed. Despite being told he would never walk again, Walter not only relearned to walk but has continued to do so for 25 years, displaying a level of positivity that Ben finds unmatched. After his rowing career, Ben aspires to work in the green energy industry, which he finds both exciting and crucially important.
Ben’s favorite place to compete is Lake Onota, the home course of Williams College. He enjoys traveling to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His favorite band is Lynyrd Skynyrd, with “Simple Man” being his favorite song. Ben’s second favorite band is Nirvana. His favorite books are “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand and “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. Additionally, Ben played water polo in high school.
Ben Washburne’s Professional Career and Accomplishments
In 2018, Ben won the Crew Coaches’ Award for Leadership and Dedication at Hopkins School.
The following year 2019, he secured the seventh position in the boys’ four with coxswain event at the NEIRA Championships.
In 2022, Ben was victorious in the second varsity eight events at both the National Invitational Championships and the New England Rowing Championships.
In 2023, Ben won a silver medal in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain event at the World Championships. He also won a gold medal in the same PR3 mixed four with coxswain event at the Para Rowing Regatta to Paris. Additionally, he won the Division III second varsity eight and the Division III team title at the IRA National Championships.
Ben received the 2023 John A. Shaw Award for Commitment, Perseverance, and Commitment at Williams College. He was also selected for the 2023 All-NESCAC Second Team.
