Kerri Gowler is a celebrated New Zealand rower who recently added a bronze medal in the coxless four at the 2024 Paris Olympics to her impressive achievements. She previously claimed Gold and Silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the Women's Pair and Women's Eight, respectively.
Kerri began her rowing journey in 2009 with Nga Tawa Diocesan School and Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club. She first represented New Zealand in 2013 as part of the elite women's eight. Her breakthrough came in 2014 when she and Grace Prendergast won gold in the U23 Women's Pair at the World Rowing U23 Championships, setting a new best time. The duo continued their success by winning gold in the women's four at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, setting another world record.
Kerri and Grace have been a dominant team since 2014, qualifying two boats for the 2016 Olympics and earning silver medals in both the pair and eight at the 2015 World Rowing Championships. After a 4th place finish in the women's eight at Rio, they went undefeated in 2017, becoming world champions and setting a new world-best time.
In 2019, Kerri excelled in both the women's pair and the women's eight, winning gold in both events at the World Rowing Championships. The win in the women's eight marked a historic first for New Zealand.
Kerri is from Whanganui and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.
