Kerri Williams

Kerri Williams, born on December eighteenth, nineteen ninety-three, in Raetihi, is a distinguished former New Zealand rower of Māori descent, proudly affiliated with the Rangitāne iwi. Her journey in rowing began at Nga Tawa Diocesan School in Marton, where she embraced the sport in two thousand nine, shortly after the school introduced its rowing programme. Initially an equestrian competitor, Kerri quickly shifted her focus to rowing, driven by her trainer's early prediction that she would one day represent New Zealand.

Williams' international rowing career took off in two thousand thirteen with the women's eight, where she made her mark by winning the B-final at the World Rowing Championships in Chungju, South Korea. Her prowess in the sport was further highlighted in two thousand fourteen when she clinched a gold medal in the coxless four at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, alongside teammates Kayla Pratt, Kelsey Bevan, and Grace Prendergast. Despite a fourth-place finish at the two thousand sixteen Rio Olympics, Kerri's determination and talent shone through.

In two thousand seventeen, Williams achieved world champion status in the women's pair, partnering with Prendergast, and they successfully defended their title at the two thousand nineteen World Rowing Championships. The duo continued to excel at the two thousand twenty Tokyo Olympics, where they not only won their heat and semi-final in record time but also secured the Olympic gold medal in the pair event. Additionally, they contributed to the women's eight team, which earned a silver medal.

Recognized for her exceptional contributions to rowing, Kerri Williams was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the two thousand twenty-two Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours. Her legacy in the sport continues to inspire future generations of rowers.