Varsity Blues rower Michael Braithwaite placed third in the men’s single category at the 2010 FISU world university championships, August 12-15, in Szegad, Hungary.

A native of Duncan, B.C., Braithwaite dominated all competition in his first heat, finishing the two kilometre course in 7:08.76 to advance to the semifinals. He then placed second to eventual silver medalist Karsten Brodowski of Germany in the first semifinal with a time of 7:09.42.

Battling a strong cross head wind in the A final, Braithwaite pushed through to finish third in 8:03.73 behind Italy’s Frederico Ustolin (7:58.45) and Brodowski (7:59.22).

The 2009 Canadian University Rowing Championships (CURC) oarsman of the year, Braithwaite has enjoyed a very successful season on the water. The fifth-year cognitive science major was the OUA men’s single champion and was also honoured with Rowing Canada’s international achievement award for his bronze-medal performance at the 2009 FISA world championship regatta in the Czach Republic and his first-place finish in the men’s heavyweight single at the 2009 Canadian under-23 championships.

Entering is fourth season as the Varsity Blues rowing head coach, Rob Watering also made the trip to Hungary as one of three coaches who guided Canada at the world university championships.

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