Name
Tassilo von Mueller
Course and Year of Study
MSc by Research in Engineering Science, 1st Year
College
Hertford
Sport
Rowing
Club
Oxford University Boat Club
Highest Competition Level
International
Best Achievement
U23 World championship Bronze medal 2021, U19 World championship 4th place 2017, U19 European championship Silver medal 2017, 7 national titles in Germany
Short Term Aspirations
Win the Boat race
Long Term Aspirations
Compete in the Olympics for Germany
How did you get into the sport?
I grew up in Essen, Germany near a lake. My family and I spent a lot of weekends either cycling or walking around it and I became very intrigued by the rowing, canoeing and sailing that we saw every time. I decided to join canoeing for a year until I decided to try out rowing. After a few weeks I was fortunate enough to find friends and have stuck with it since then. Over the years rowing became more competitive and ultimately a big part of my life.
What is your advice on balancing sport and academia?
I have always been able to balance sport and academia because rowing made me more organised and efficient. After coming back from practice I am usually very focused and tend to get good work done. My advice would be to find a sport you are passionate about because you will draw energy from it. That will ultimately allow for a balanced life.
How have you managed training during lockdown?
The hardest part during lockdown was the winter because most facilities were closed and I had to train indoors most of the time with my friends. Finding the motivation to do this was hard but during Covid I realised how much sport was part of my old life and it helped me to maintain a structure in my day when nothing else gave me did so. When the lockdowns were lifted, we started to go back out onto the water and I really enjoyed training with my friends and getting fresh air.
