Ward Lemmelijn vs. world record: Is the champion ready for his hardest test?
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Six-time world champion Ward Lemmelijn is hungry for the indoor rowing world record. After missing the magical 5:35.8 mark at the last World Rowing Indoor Championships, the 27-year-old Belgian is ready for a new world record attempt this Sunday at the World Rowing Indoor Championships. Read this profile on Ward to understand why he is one of the sport’s most promising talents and how he prepared to push the limits of human performance.
Who is Ward Lemmelijn: 3 traits that set the champ apart
Some people are just born with this little extra that makes them stand out from the crowd. But success isn’t just handed to anybody: in Ward’s case, talent and luck combine with an elite mindset, allowing him to compete at the highest performance levels . Even though he is a beast on the rowing machine, the P.E. teacher’s joyful side makes him a beloved role model for his students.
1. His commanding physique
The first thing you notice about Ward is his impressive figure. His build isn’t just for show — it gives him a natural competitive edge. Even his baseline fitness levels are heightened. “Regarding my physique, I lucked out,” Ward acknowledges and doesn’t even refer to his good looks. “My genes gifted me with a great VO2max and with 1.95 meters, I’m tall as well.”
2. His all-or-nothing mindset
A record-breaking performance takes discipline. When it’s time to deliver, Ward goes all out — even if this means suffering. That’s why it’s not unusual to find him fainting or puking after a race. When asked what he likes about rowing on the ergometer, he refers to the sport’s self-reliance: “I like how you’re responsible for your own results in indoor rowing. You can only blame yourself for bad results. This also works the other way: I get motivated by seeing how far I can push myself.”
I get motivated by seeing how far I can push myself.
Although many athletes struggle with performance anxiety, Ward manages to keep a clear head. “Before a competition, I’m never nervous. I think that the people around me are much more nervous than myself.” With the hoodie on and listening to his favorite songs, he gets ready to give it his all on the rowing machine.
3. His infectious laughter
Ward's self-proclaimed trademark is his laugh. While he puts up serious numbers on the rowing machine, he’s upbeat and loves to joke — both with others and at his own expense.
How Ward prepared to break the indoor rowing world record
After winning six indoor rowing championships, Ward dreamed of joining the Belgian rowing team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, he failed to qualify. That’s when he shifted his focus to a new challenge: breaking the indoor rowing world record for the 2000-meter distance. The current world record stands at 5:35.8 and is held by the Australian Josh Dunkley-Smith.
To prepare for the record attempt, Ward increased his calorie intake, which was already around 6,000 to 8,000 kcal per day. “I eat almost a kilogram of chicken daily to get enough protein,” Ward confesses. Additionally, his training regimen intensified, now counting 12 to 14 sessions per week. His trainer, Hendrik Plevoets, explains: “It’s a mix of endurance training and strength-endurance exercises including lifting, cycling, and, of course, indoor rowing.”
The Open Belgian Indoor Rowing Championships in November 2024 were planned as an assessment to get a feel of how much Ward progressed, but the flu thwarted his plans. Now, Ward looks forward to finally putting on his world champion unisuit and showing what he got. This Sunday, he aims to break the record at the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH).
Defending the title of world rowing indoor champion
Ward has a lot on his plate next weekend: besides breaking the world record, he aims to defend his title as world champion in the men’s 23-39 2000m category. At last year’s WRICH in Prague, Ward won with a time of 5:43.2. While he mainly credits the unwavering support of his family for his extraordinary performance, Ward admits that rowing right next to his competitors spurs him on to pull even harder.
This year’s edition of the WRICH will be held online. On 23 February, Ward will compete against his younger brother Lode Lemmlijn as well as against other high-performance rowers from all over the world. Gaining strength from the power of the crowd, the brothers invite the public to cheer them on to victory in their hometown of Tienen, Belgium. To showcase his pursuit of the world record and the world title, Ward has teamed up with EXR to create a documentary, set to be released later this spring.
Do you want to train on your rower like Ward? Join him on EXR’s virtual waters!
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