Mark Hunter

A defending Olympic champion, Mark Hunter is amongst the favourites to win gold in the lightweight double scull at London, alongside rowing partner Zac Purchase. A promising youngster, Hunter won the Junior National Championships at the age of 16, but it is his partnership with Purchase that has seen him achieve the biggest success on the world stage. The pair medalled at each World Cup Regatta throughout the 2007 season but managed only bronze at the World Championships of that year. However, 2008 proved to be a record-breaking year, with Hunter and Purchase winning every double scull race of the season and setting a new Olympic Record as they won gold at the Beijing Olympics. Awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list for services to sport, Hunter returned to action with a World Championship gold in 2010, once again alongside Purchase, before defending their title in Slovenia in 2011. Denmark and Greece trailed Great Britain in the 2008 final in Beijing and will once again provide strong competition, but the pair have been highlighted as one of the British rowing team’s strongest chances of picking up gold in the country’s home Games.