Stephen Hawkins

1971 -

Tasmanian Stephen Hawkins teamed with veteran Peter Antonie to win gold in the men’s double scull in Barcelona. Hawkins, 21, only started rowing with Antonie months before the 1992 Games. They were dubbed ‘the Pocket Rockets’ by media because they were much lighter than their opponents. However, once competition began they proved the heavyweights of the event. They won their heat and semi-final before surprising the favoured European crews to win the final. The win was Australia’s first rowing gold medal since 1948. Antonie also competed at the Games in 1996, placing eighth in the double sculls with Jason Day.