Charles has represented Great Britain in rowing at the Olympics and World Championships. At 19, he was crowned World Champion in the Under 23 double scull. He went on to row in the London 2012 Olympic Games and was part of the team that earned Britain’s first World Championship medal in the quadruple scull.
Charles was introduced to rowing by a visit to his school from the GB Rowing Team Start Programme. He then went onto learning to row with the Rob Roy Boat Club on the River Cam in Cambridge.
During his time at the University of Reading, he trained with Team GB in Caversham, while also representing Reading University Boat Club (RUBC). In his first year, he competed with fellow RUBC member, Bill Lucas, in the double scull and won the gold medal at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships. Upon graduation, Charles focused on training full time and was selected to represent Team GB in the men’s quadruple scull at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where his team finished in fifth place.
Following London, he became part of a new line-up that included Reading alumnus Sam Townsend, Pete Lambert and Graeme Thomas. The crew secured Britain’s first ever World Championship medal in the men’s quadruple scull when they won bronze in Korea in 2013. They then set a new world record and won a silver medal at the World Championships in Amsterdam the following year.
Charles played a key role in the team qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics but unfortunately had to withdraw several months before the Games due to an ongoing injury.
Charles has now returned to training and has his sights set on competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
'Alongside my studies, the University enabled me to train in an environment that was supportive and inspiring, with all the resources I needed to develop and thrive as an aspiring international athlete.''
