News

Last month, alum Emma Twigg (class of 2015) lived one of the most remarkable experiences one athlete can live: she participated in the Olympic Games in Rio – and that was the third time for her.

An accomplished rower – named the best in the World in 2014 -, went through a rollercoaster of emotions to get to Rio (qualifying in the last regatta) and even more so at the Games. For the second time, she got too close to an Olympic medal, but finished at a super-honourable but heartbreaking fourth place. This time at only 0.3 seconds to the podium.

In this interview, done by alum Pedro Cavacanti – Emma’s classmate at the FIFA Master and one of her best friends -, she tells us more about what took her to get to the Games, the challenges of combining training and attending the FIFA Master, and her experience at the Rio Olympic Games. Enjoy.

Pedro Cavalcanti A week before starting the 15th edition of the FIFA Master you were world champion. You then went on to complete the FIFA master while continuing to be a full time athlete and having your third Olympic Games as an objective. Objective accomplished! How was it to manage both responsibilities? What did the masters add to your life as an athlete?
Emma Twigg My decision to do the Masters was largely based around the fact that I had asked for a break from the single scull after being in it for 10 years. I believed that there was opportunity to row in another event with a greater chance of winning a Gold medal in Rio and needed a change of scenery if I was to be mentally in the right place in 2016. The New Zealand federation was not keen on this idea. After a fourth place in London, I was aware that even after four years of dedicated training, the result may not be what you have dreamed of and there needed to be something to life other than my sport. I decided to take matters into my own hands and seek a mental break that would also establish myself for life after sport.  The Master was the perfect solution to this.
 
It was a challenging year, and when I look back at what I achieved, training before and after class fitting in as many hours, if not more in to my week than what I would have in New Zealand I am extremely proud. It forced me to do things differently, and made me realize how lucky I had been to be able to use every hour of my day to train, recover and put everything into my sport. At the same time, the challenge gave me perspective on life outside of the ‘bubble’ that is high performance sport. I think it gave me a sense of maturity that I took back into the New Zealand Rowing program and a calmness about my future after the Olympics. This definitely helped me during the year that I was back training for Rio.
 
PP Beijing, London and now Rio. How different were your experiences in each of the games?
ET Each of my Olympic experiences have been vastly different. Each of them unique, wonderful and heartbreaking in different ways. Beijing I will remember for its grandeur. The amazing venues of the Birds Nest and Water Cube and the sheer manpower that was recruited to make the event. I was very young and perhaps had unrealistic expectations about my result. I was beaten by 0.05 of a second in the semi-final and missed out on the Final so was devastated at the time. Looking back, I wish I had placed less importance on the result and more on enjoying my first Olympics. Regardless, I was bitten by the bug.
 
London was a logistical dream compared to the other two. Everything in the village ran like clockwork and had a real British feel. What stands out in my memory is the visual spectacle of many of the venues in such iconic places. My result again, was heartbreaking. This time round I was not expected to win, but a realistic shot at a medal. I finished fourth.
 
Rio takes the top spot in terms of my favorite games. I went in with an open mind, grateful to be there after the turbulent process that had to be overcome to qualify. I knew this one would be different after spending some time in Rio previously, and knowing the beautiful flamboyant Brazilians in my class. What made Rio for me was the people, the beaches, the mountains and the relaxed vibe. I saw more live sport than I ever have and enjoyed the culture and atmosphere. The result this time, was absolutely devastating, another fourth, 0.3 seconds to a medal. The hardest part to digest was not having achieved what I know I was capable of, and having something tangible to show for the years of work I had invested and to all of those that have supported me and were part of my journey. It seems the Olympic gods are not on my side.
 
PP During these Olympics you weren't only representing your country but also the FIFA Master Alumni family and you made us all very proud. How did it feel to receive support from all corners of the world?
ET The best part about my Olympic experience in Rio was the support that I had. A large part of that was the FMA family. My friends from all over the world, doing great things in their chosen area and still interested and showing support for a little kiwi rower. That made me realize what an opportunity I had been given and how grateful I was for those people that I had met in 2015 and who will always be part of my life. It has also provided me with some much needed perspective on a world outside of elite sport.
 
PP After over a decade of being an elite athlete and three Olympic Games and completing the FIFA Master. What is next?
ET In a couple of weeks I head to Europe indefinitely with the hope of finding a job. My next challenge is to launch myself into a career, to create a new niche, learn, and continue the path of personal and professional development. I have a couple of bucket list adventures that have been put on the backburner during my rowing career that also need ticking. It is an exciting time and a transition that has been made much clearer having done the FIFA MA.

Emma2.jpg