Olympic winner to race for Oxford Said

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Storm Uru, an MBA candidate at Saїd Business School, will row in the Oxford Blue Boat in the bow seat in The 160th Boat Race, on 6th April 2014. Uru won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. 

This student at Oxford Said is literally sailing in two boats: not only is he dealing with the pressure of pursuing a full time MBA, but he is also knifing through river Thames hoping to come up tops in the 160th Oxford Cambridge Boat race. The Blue Boat he races in is the highest level boat at the race.

Uru, a New Zealand Olympian and winner of a bronze medal in London 2012 in the lightweight double sculls, is part of an experienced crew boasting no fewer than three Olympians.

“I am absolutely delighted to be in the Blue Boat and to represent Oxford at the highest level”, said Storm Uru. “I came to Oxford to pursue a world class MBA and combine it with my passion for rowing. At Saïd and in Oxford I am able to do both with some of the best in the world. I am hoping to make Oxford and New Zealand proud on the 6th. Beyond that, I hope that the skills and insights I have learned on the MBA combined with the tenacity and determination I have built up through rowing at this level will prepare me for my future career in business and I am greatly looking forward to the opportunities ahead.”

storm uru oxford said mba medal tally olympics

Storm Uru – Medal tally

In preparation for the Race, Uru is training for a minimum of six hours a day, alongside the famously challenging workload of an MBA. Commenting on this aspect, Uru said, “My schedule is fairly taxing at the moment but I find my commitments complement each other. The same approach of extensive preparation, mental stamina and a drive to succeed help me both in the classroom and on the river. There’s a lot of overlap in what it takes to be your best in both sport and business.”

Professor Peter Tufano, Dean of Saїd Business School said, “It is an outstanding achievement to have won a place in such a highly competitive race whilst working towards a world-class MBA, which makes considerable demands of its participants. Elite sports and successful business people have much in common, and the calls made upon those at the upper levels of both fields can be similar. Like the School’s other rowers before him, Storm has demonstrated a steely determination to give of his best to the boat crew and simultaneously to contribute fully to the MBA programme. In both contexts, he has been supported by his peers: business, like rowing, is a team activity – and all the stronger for it. The skills and strength of mind Storm has shown in his race preparation and throughout the MBA will stand him in good stead for his business career.

Oxford vs Cambridge boat race 2013

The 2013 edition of the race saw the Dark Blues of Oxford win. It leaves the score so far Oxford 77, Cambridge 81 (there was a draw in 1877). You can check out the details of each stage of the race here: Click here

Cover image credit & copyright: http://www.olympic.org.nz/

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