Chris Bak and Marc Oria Named Finalists for 2025 World Rowing Awards

Chris Bak and Marc Oria have been selected as finalists for the 2025 World Rowing Awards. Bak is recognized in the Men’s Crew of the Year category, while Oria is honored as a finalist for Coach of the Year. Award recipients will be announced on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at a ceremony hosted at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Bak’s nomination follows an exceptional season in which he secured his third world championship title in the men’s solo event at the 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals. He also claimed silver in the mixed double sculls with partner Sera Busse, narrowly missing gold. With his gold and silver medal performances, Bak became the most decorated beach sprint athlete in history and the first to win three world titles in the men’s solo.

“I am extremely honored to be nominated for the World Rowing Men’s Crew of the Year Award,” said Bak. "There are so many elite competitors from around the world that deserve this award. This nomination would not be possible without the support of friends, family sponsors, and, of course, USRowing. The support from these individuals and organizations has enabled me to compete at the highest level; without them, I could not train. To the competitors who make this sport possible, thank you. Without competition and without pushing one another year over year, we would not have the sport we know and love. Again, I am incredibly honored and hope that whoever receives this award will continue to grow the sport of rowing, which we know and love."

Both Bak and Oria have played a pivotal role in the rise and success of the Gemini.com U.S. Beach Sprint National Team. Since 2021, Marc Oria has led the U.S. national team to 21 medals at the Coastal and Beach Sprint World Championships. The 2025 season marked the program’s most successful performance to date, earning three medals across five senior events: Bak’s men’s solo world title, a second world championship for the mixed quadruple sculls, and a silver medal in the mixed double sculls. His leadership has been instrumental to the team's success as LA28 approaches and Beach Sprint prepares to make its Olympic debut.

“Being named a finalist for World Rowing Coach of the Year is an incredible honor,” said Oria. “This recognition reflects the passion, resilience, and relentless work of our athletes, our staff, and the entire rowing community that supports us. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a sport and community that have shaped my life, and to represent our program on the world stage.”

The U.S. previously won Women's Crew of the Year in 2008 and 2009, and won Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2009. Three-time Olympic medalist Caryn Davies won World Rowing’s 2023 Thomas Keller Medal. Davies was the first American to win the award, which debuted in 1990 and is considered the highest honor in rowing. 

The full list of nominees can be found here.