Kiama resident Nardia Guillaumier has won a gold medal at the World Indoor Rowing Championships this February in Prague. She finished her category, the women's 45-49, 2000m, in 7 minutes and 16.4 seconds. This marked a personal achievement for her, where she clinched a silver medal in the same category the year prior with a time of seven minutes and twenty seconds.

In a nail-biting photo finish, Nardia outpaced the competition, securing the top spot over Germany by six seconds. Adding to her achievements, she also claimed a commendable fourth place in the women's 45-49 500-metre indoor rowing category, completing the distance in 1 minute and 33.7 seconds.

Nardia told The Bugle that the event being held in Prague opened up the event to the world's best indoor rowers to compete in person or from home - which Nardia did.

Because of the time difference, the race began at 8:30pm when most people were winding down for the evening. Nardia agreed with her coach, Alan Swan, that endurance and patience would set up a good race and allow her a new personal best if all went well. But she went well beyond that. At the 1000m mark, halfway, Nardia was 29 metres behind the leaders of the race, in fourth position. 

The commentators were certain that the leaders were a shoe in for the first two places. She began her power home at the 750m mark. With 350 metres to go, Nardia moved into 2nd and with 300m left powered into 1st. She said she was concentrating so hard she didn't at first realise that she had won “I had practised to concentrate on my split breathing so I didn't get caught up in the moment” said Nardia.  

Coach Alan said “This is a moment that I will never forget. I am extremely proud of Nardia, she's a champion athlete and now has the title to prove it” 

As Nardia continues to prove herself on the world stage, representing Australia, she continues to be an inspiration for us all. We wish Nadia luck as she continues to try to beat her personal bests and earn awards for her hard work.