Gemma Wollenschlaeger

Started: She took up the sport in 2019 at the Annapolis Junior Rowing club in Maryland, United States of America. (Athlete, 28 Aug 2024; fox.temple.edu, 15 Aug 2023) Reason: She tried various sports before her parents suggested she take up rowing. "When I tried out for the state [basketball] team, I was cut because I was not able to technically make a left layup correctly due to not being able to jump off my left foot. It was heartbreaking. I had given up on sports. I figured my time with them was done, and I would just swim occasionally. My parents put a stop to that rather quickly, and with the help of my sister, they found Annapolis Junior Rowing in April 2019." (USRowing YouTube channel, 29 Aug 2023; fox.temple.edu, 15 Aug 2023) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (temple-news.com, 13 Feb 2024) Awards: While competing in non-Para rowing for Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, United States of America, she was named the university's Women's Rowing Athlete of the Year for 2023 and Newcomer of the Year for 2022. (usrowing.org, 01 Jun 2023) Additional Info: MOVE TO USA She was born in England and grew up in South Africa before she moved to the United States of America with her family. (USRowing YouTube channel, 29 Aug 2023)

Sporting Relatives: Her uncle Luke Wollenschlaeger competes in indoor rowing and has set world records in the sport in senior age group categories. (Athlete, 28 Aug 2024)