Finding the right dosage
Julia Tertünte had a long journey in front of her when she set off for the Chinese city of Chengdu in July – a good 8,000 kilometres away from Münster’s Prinzipalmarkt – which, with a population of 20 million, was the venue for the 2023 FISU World University Games. It was with a heavy heart that she had to leave her boat “Lightning McQueen” at home. However, the boat which she was provided with, and in which she lined up in the “Lightweight Single Scull” event, competing against top-level international athletes, brought her success: with a time of 7:50.42 over 2,000 metres, she secured third place and proudly brought a bronze medal back to Münster.
In 2017, after having engaged in top-level athletics for some years, Julia Tertünte looked around for a new sporting challenge. Numerous injuries were the reason why she wanted to try out something new. Within just a few years, she developed a healthy portion of ambition and a great passion for rowing – which demands a lot of her. After all, in addition to her chosen sport – which consists of many hours spent on training and includes time-consuming competitions – Tertünte, who was born in Essen, is studying Pharmacy at the University of Münster. In the truest sense of the word, she has to find the right dosage for each in order to do them both justice. “There were times when it was more than challenging to balance studies with sport,” she says. “This year I did my year of practical training in a pharmacy, which for me meant a 40-hour week, preparation for exams and intensive training for rowing competitions. I did occasionally have my doubts as to whether I would be able to manage it all.”
However, her success dispelled any doubts. Besides the third place in Chengdu, she took part in many more regattas and also completed her year of practical training. “My motto is ‘Don’t give up!’” she says. “That means that if a competition doesn’t go as well as I hoped, or I have to sit an exam again, I never lose sight of my aims.” Hers is an exceptional talent and she draws the strength that she needs both at university and on the water from her perseverance and from her ability to motivate herself. “Studying pharmacy means you have to learn a lot, and it involves a great deal of work over several years,” she says. “And it’s no different in rowing – especially if you want to be among the best.” Her rowing club gives her energy, because her trainer and her friends have a lot of understanding for her situation. The club is like a second family for her, she says. In nearly every free minute she has – mostly in the evenings and at the weekends – she can be found in the largest rowing club in the Münsterland, in Bennostraße, or on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. You can observe her from the side of the canal as she rhythmically dips the oars of her 14-kilogram boat into the water. However, you can easily lose sight of her if you don’t cycle fast alongside to keep up with her.
“Every time I go back on dry land, I’m happy and contented – even if I know my muscles will be aching next day when I have to go to work or sit in a lecture hall,” she says with a grin. She remains relaxed when she looks to the coming rowing season. “I’m looking forward to new competitions and I hope that I’ll be rowing up there with the best again. And I’m looking forward just as much to starting work in my chosen profession – and I very much hope that I’ll also be able to manage a balance there, too.”
Kathrin Kottke
This article is from the brochure "Twelve months, twelve people", published in February 2024.
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