New Zealander Olympic rower Robbie Manson has announced he’s hanging up his oars and retiring but reassured his OnlyFans subscribers that his modelling career will continue.
The out Olympian previously called time on rowing in 2020, after competing for New Zealand at the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016.
However, the Kiwi made a big comeback in 2022 and qualified for the 2024 Olympics. Robbie came sixth in the men’s double sculls with rowing partner Ben Mason.
“After nearly two years away from rowing, a small itch crept in – what if I gave it another shot?” Robbie wrote on Instagram this week.
“From Masters to club rowing, I found my way back. I didn’t know how far I’d get – or even how far I wanted to.
“There were plenty of moments where things could’ve gone either way. But I’m proud of what I managed to achieve.
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“Qualifying for the Olympics for a fourth time—and competing for a third—was a huge highlight. And to top it off, making the Olympic final for the first time.
“I’d planned to keep going after Paris, and I did, because I felt like there was still more in the tank.
“But competing at this level demands so much—time, energy, stress, and sacrifice—and eventually, the cost starts to outweigh the reward. Lately, the pull to explore new opportunities has been stronger than the pull to keep racing.”
Robbie Manson addresses future of his OnlyFans
Last year, Robbie Manson made international headlines when he shared how lucrative – and important – his side hustle on subscription website OnlyFans was to raise money for his rowing.
This week, he wrote, “It’s time to shift my focus to growing my online coaching business and continuing to explore new things – whether that’s in fitness, business, or even (let’s call it this) my modelling career.”
Robbie added in a message to his subscribers that he would be “continuing my OnlyFans journey with all of you.”
“The last two years have been amazing, and I especially want to thank you, my subscribers, for making it all possible. Your support has meant the world to me,” he wrote.
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Speaking last year, Robbie said retired Aussie Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham inspired him to join the platform.
He said for many professional athletes, training and competing is expensive and sport isn’t as lucrative as people think.
“I don’t have any big personal sponsors or anything… I am making more on OnlyFans than I am from rowing at this stage,” he said.
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