Ward Lemmelijn is no ordinary athlete. Having only started rowing late into his athletic career, he is now a multiple world champion on the ergo and is planning an assault in the on-water community, too. After winning the most recent edition of the World Rowing Indoor Championships in February, Ward sat down with JRN to discuss how he ascended to the top of the indoor rowing tree.
What brought you to the sport of indoor rowing in the first place and what made you leave soccer behind?
I started out playing football like many kids in Belgium, but over time, I realized I was more drawn to individual sports where I could fully challenge myself. It also didn’t help that the team I played for got disbanded. I discovered indoor rowing during a physical education class at university, and it just clicked. A friend mentioned that I might have some talent for rowing, so I gave my first 2K test a shot. From there, it only took me a couple of months to become the Belgian champion. Soccer was a team game, and I loved it, but rowing gave me direct control over my progress — every stroke is your own.
What drives you to want to be the fastest person in the world?
I’ve always had this fire to push boundaries — not just against others but also against myself. There’s something incredibly raw and honest about racing against the clock on the erg. Becoming the fastest isn’t just about the title; it’s proof of years of discipline, pain, sacrifice, and growth. I’m driven by the idea that I can always be better than yesterday.
What is your proudest moment to date on the rowing machine?
Becoming the world champion is obviously special, especially for the first time in LA with all my friends there, which was just an insane experience. But honestly, some of my proudest moments were in training — the unseen battles. There was one session where I beat a personal best I’d been chasing for months. No crowd, no medals, just me and the machine. That meant the most because it showed me what I could do when no one was watching.
How have EXR supported you on your journey?
The EXR team has been one of my main supporters from the start. I’ve got to know them personally, and they’ve believed in me since the beginning when no one else in the rowing world had given me a chance. They’ve helped me become a better rower by being my cheerleaders and friends, and I hope we can work together for a very long time. EXR itself honestly just makes indoor rowing less boring. A long endurance session can quickly turn dull, but EXR helps to keep me entertained and focused.
Do you want to transition into competing on the water like you have competed on the ergo?
Yes, and I already have. I’ve been rowing on the water with the Belgian national team and competing at a high level. The erg was my introduction, but rowing on the water adds a new dimension. One of my goals is to be on the Olympic team for LA in 2028.
What is more important on the ergo – mental or physical strength?
They go hand in hand, but if I had to choose — mental strength. On the erg, it’s just you and the machine. No conditions, no excuses. Your body will want to quit way before your limit. The ones who go beyond that, who suffer with purpose, are the ones who win.
How did you go about becoming world champion on the ergo?
It took years of consistent, structured training — not just hard work, but smart work. I surrounded myself with a team that believed in me, set clear goals, tracked every detail, and prioritised recovery as much as training. It wasn’t glamorous. It was early mornings, sore muscles, and relentless focus. But in the end, that’s what it takes.
What is the next step now that you have conquered the indoor rowing world?
I’m always challenging myself. One goal will always be to break the world record for the 2K indoors. After that, we’ll see how I can challenge myself even further off and on the water.
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