Kjetil Borch of Norway won the men's single sculls world championship in September. He has been no stranger to the medal podium in his career, winning gold in the double in 2013 and bronze in the double at the Rio Olympic Games. He is the first person not named Drysdale or Synek to win the men's single since fellow Norwegian Olaf Tufte won gold in the event in the 2008 Olympic Games.