Tom Tewes studies physics at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy and competes at the World University in the 2-man and 8-man rowing events.
Q: How did this come about?
Tom: This year I was nominated for the normal national rowing team as a replacement 2-man and have now had a season with several competitions in which I often couldn't race as a replacement. And perfect: the competition here three weeks later, after our World Cup season. So the timing is good for me and I'm looking forward to it. I was there two years ago and really wanted to go again.
Q: You're in the prospects squad - what does that mean?
Tom: For me, that means financial support. And for the state, it means that I'm in a squad of people who are expected to achieve top rankings at world championships or the Olympics within the next few years.
Q: You moved to RUB in 2020 to train at the base of the German eight in Dortmund. What do you like about the RUB and our faculty?
I think RUB has great courses - at least in physics. They are also often considerate of the fact that I might have to take an exam later from time to time or can't be there because of sport. RUB is very lenient in that respect. That's not the case at all universities.
Q: Why did you decide to study physics back then?
I am very interested in being able to explain and understand what is happening around me in nature and physics is the science that deals with this most fundamentally. I don't think I would have been satisfied with biology or chemistry because these subjects don't go into as much depth.
Q: Is there anything you have learned from rowing for your studies - or vice versa?
Both! I think I learned from rowing how to prepare for and deal with stressful situations - such as races or exams - during my studies. From studying physics, I learned that you have to have a certain tolerance for frustration and that you have to try lots of things quite often until they work out.
Q: How do you envision your sporting and academic future?
In terms of sport, I really want to go to the 2028 Olympic Games and win a medal. And academically, I want to be at least close to completing my Master's thesis by then and then maybe do a doctorate. Where I want to work then is still very vague for me. Of course, it would be a dream to work in the space sector or for an interesting company in research and development.
Q: When and where can we see your races?
We start with the races on Friday, but the finals are of course exciting, they are on Sunday, four hours apart, so relatively compact, here at the Duisburg regatta course. Tickets are still available! You can find them and the schedule at rhineruhr2025.com. Between the races, there will be other races with German participation and you can also watch water polo and beach volleyball right next door.
To the video interviewPhoto: Tom Tewes © private