Anna Watkins

Sport: Rowing

Nation: Great Britain

DOB: February 13, 1983

Hometown: Leek

Career Highlights: Olympic medallist Anna Watkins partners veteran Katherine Grainger for Great Britain in the double scull at London 2012. Following a successful career in the juniors, Watkins moved to the senior double scull in 2006. Alongside Annabel Vernon she won the World Cup series in that year, and after a change of partner won bronze at the 2007 World Championships. Glandular fever disrupted her preparations for Beijing, but she made the final and picked up a bronze in an agonisingly close finish - with the three medalling teams separated by just two tenths of a second. Silver followed at the 2009 World Championships, before Watkins teamed up with three-time Olympic medallists Grainger in 2010. The pair won gold in the double scull at that year’s World Championships and were named female crew of the year, before successfully defended their title in 2011 - leading the race from start to finish. A World Cup series win in 2011 cemented their status as the favourites for gold in London, although Australia and Poland will provide strong competition.

Olympic History: 2008