American rower Justin Best, who participated in the men’s eight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, was born on August 17, 1997. In the Men’s Four at the 2023 World Rowing Championships, he finished second. The talented rower is eligible for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Justin Best qualifies for Paris Olympics 2024
Justin Best has been selected to represent the United States in rowing at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. This will be his second consecutive Olympic appearance, following his participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Best secured his place in the Paris Olympics after winning a silver medal in the men’s four event at the 2023 World Rowing Championships and his remarkable performance in Tokyo.
In 2023, Best’s outstanding achievements include securing the second position in the Men’s Four Final A at the World Rowing Championships, clocking a time of 06:06.37 in the M4- Class. Additionally, he finished fourth in the Men’s Pair Final A at the 2023 World Rowing Cup II in the M2- Class, with a timing of 06:22.60. These remarkable performances earned him a spot on the Olympic team.
Best brings not only physical strength but also technical expertise to the U.S. men’s rowing team. He frequently rows in the bow pair position, where his role is crucial for maintaining the boat’s balance and rhythm. These skills have been honed through years of intense training and competition.
Justin Best Age, Family, Siblings, Parents, Father, Mother, High School, Education
Justin Best, 26, was born on August 17, 1997, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, United States. His parents are Toeanne and Glenn Best, and he grew up as the youngest of two children, with an older brother named Garren. Best stands tall at a height of 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches) and weighs 195 pounds (88 kilograms).
During his middle school years, Best suffered a concussion while playing football, which prompted him to reconsider his athletic pursuits. After watching the movie “The Social Network,” his parents were inspired by the Harvard rowing team scenes, and Best began rowing for the Newport Rowing Club. He trains in Oakland, California.
Best continued rowing while attending Unionville High School in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where he was part of an effort to petition the local school board to add rowing as a club sport. He later attended Drexel University, graduating in 2019, where he studied Business and Engineering. With the guidance of coaches and mentors in the club, Best honed his skills and developed the determination and strength that have led him to the pinnacle of rowing.
While competing for the Drexel Dragons, they won the Dad Vail Regatta team title all four years. During his time at Drexel, Best also competed for the US National U23 squad in 2018 and 2019. He enjoys reading, playing video games, exercising, and watching movies.
Justin Best has been in a relationship since 2015 with Lainy
Justin Best has been in a relationship with Lainy Ducan since 2015. Ducan’s mother’s name is Alicia, and she has three brothers.
Ducan works as an Associate Designer at Marine Layer. She possesses skills in pattern making, draping, textile design, industrial sewing, and Adobe Software. Ducan has strong foundations in art history, color theory, and garment construction. She is interested in sustainable design and brand imagery.
Ducan graduated from Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Later, she attended the London College of Fashion, which is part of the University of the Arts London.
How Justin Rowed at the start of his career?
In 2013, Justin secured the eighth position in the lightweight four event for men at the USRowing Youth National Championships.
In 2015, Justin won the Silver Medal in the Junior Men’s Eight Final A at the World Rowing Junior Championships in the JM8+ Class, with a timing of 05:53.89. He also finished eighth in the single sculls event at the USRowing Youth National Championships that year.
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In 2017, Justin won the Gold Medal in the under-23 men’s eight event at the Canadian Henley. He also won the varsity men’s eight event at the Dad Vail Regatta.
In 2018, Justin won the Gold Medal in the U23 Men’s Eight Final A at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in the BM8+ Class, with a timing of 05:22.48. He finished fourth in the Men’s Eight Final A at the World Rowing Cup III in the M8+ Class, with a timing of 05:37.41.
In 2019, Justin finished second in the U23 Men’s Eight Final A at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in the BM8+ Class, with a timing of 05:36.21. He also finished seventh in the men’s eight event at the World Rowing Cup III.
Justin’s Recent Years
In 2020, after being selected, Justin competed in the delayed men’s eight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he secured the fourth position in the Men’s Eight Final A in the M8+ Class, with a timing of 05:26.75. After graduating, he worked as an investment analyst.
In 2022, Justin finished seventh in the pair event at the World Rowing Championships. He also reached the semifinals of The Grand Challenge Cup in the eighth event at the 2022 Henley Royal Regatta. Justin won a Bronze Medal in the Men’s Pair Final A at the World Rowing Cup II in the M2- Class, with a timing of 06:38.21. He also won the pair event at the 2022 National Selection Regatta II.
In 2023, Justin secured second place in the Men’s Four Final A at the World Rowing Championships in the M4- Class, with a timing of 06:06.37. He finished fourth in the Men’s Pair Final A at the World Rowing Cup II in the M2- Class, with a timing of 06:22.60.
Justin also finished third in the pair event at the 2023 USRowing National Selection Regatta and secured second position in the pair at the 2023 USRowing Winter Speed Order.
