Romanian · Galați, Romania · Born 29 October 1975Romanian rower who won four Olympic gold medals across three Games, forming one of the sport's most dominant partnerships with Georgeta Andrunache in the coxless pair.
Viorica Susanu was born on 29 October 1975 in Galați, Romania, on the banks of the Danube, and emerged as part of a golden generation of Romanian women's rowing alongside Elisabeta Lipă, Doina Ignat, and Georgeta Andrunache. She won her first major titles as part of the Romanian women's eight that claimed three consecutive World Championships from 1997 to 1999, then Olympic gold at the 2000 Sydney Games. From 2001, Susanu began a hugely successful pairing with Andrunache in the coxless pair, winning back-to-back World Championship titles in 2001 and 2002, the latter with a world-best time of 6:53.80 that stood for years. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, the duo were untouchable, leading from start to finish to win gold by over two seconds, and Susanu backed it up the very next day by winning a third Olympic gold as part of Romania's dominant eight. Susanu and Andrunache defended their Olympic pairs title at the 2008 Beijing Games, completing back-to-back Olympic titles in the event, before the pair returned from a four-year break - both now mothers - to compete at a fifth Olympics in London 2012, finishing fifth before announcing their retirement together. Across her career, Susanu won four Olympic golds, five World Championship titles, and two European titles, cementing her status as one of the most decorated oarswomen in history. She has remained connected to the sport in Romania as a mentor to the next generation of rowers.
Winning four Olympic gold medals across three Games, forming one of rowing's most dominant partnerships with Georgeta Andrunache in the coxless pair
How They Played
Powerful, technically synchronized rower known for exceptional partnership chemistry, particularly her long-running tandem with Georgeta Andrunache in the coxless pair
Lasting Impact
Regarded as one of the greatest oarswomen in history, part of a golden generation of Romanian rowers whose dominance of the coxless pair and eight defined women's rowing for over a decade
Career Honours
- 4x Olympic Gold Medalist (2000, 2004x2, 2008)
- 5x World Champion
- 2x European Champion
- World Best Time holder, Coxless Pair (2002, with Andrunache)
Romanian Athletes