Ben Pritchard Retains PR1 Sculls World Title in Amsterdam

Ben Pritchard retained the PR1 men’s single sculls world title at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, delivering another major victory in a season that has already brought him European gold. The Welsh para-rower crossed the finish line in eight minutes, 50.46 seconds to establish a new World Championships record.

BBC Sport reported that Pritchard won the final by 6.81 seconds. Italian rower Giacomo Perini and Australia’s Erik Horrie reduced his advantage as the race approached the 500-metre mark, but Pritchard responded by extending his lead and remained comfortably in front at the finish.

The 34-year-old’s time was short of his overall world record of eight minutes, 40.38 seconds. Pritchard set that mark at the 2025 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, but his Amsterdam performance still lowered the championship benchmark and secured his second world crown.

The result adds to a sustained run of success since Pritchard won Paralympic gold in 2024. He has subsequently set multiple world records and collected both European and world titles. His latest global victory came only weeks after he won the 2026 European title in Varese, Italy. He was also named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2025.

The Amsterdam championships presented complications before the final. Thunderstorms on Friday delayed the semi-final program and shortened the recovery period available to the competitors. BBC Sport also reported that Pritchard had suffered an injury earlier in August, although the nature and severity of that injury were not specified in the report.

Speaking to World Rowing after the race, Pritchard described the championship as a “story of calamities” because of the weather disruption and problems he encountered during the final. He acknowledged that his rivals were improving over the opening 500 metres, but said he relied on his preparation when the race tightened. The outcome confirmed his position among para-rowing’s leading competitors and completed another successful championship defense for the athlete from Mumbles, near Swansea.