Ionela's journey in rowing started at a young age. She believes that rowing chose her, and her passion for the sport has kept her going. She represents CS Dinamo Bucuresti in Romania and trains under coaches Antonio Colamonici from Italy and Dorin Alupei from Romania.

Training Regime

Ionela's training routine is rigorous. She starts her day at 07:00 on Lake Sagnov in Romania. After her morning session on the water, she heads to the gym. There, she spends up to an hour working out on the exercise bike and lifting weights.

Achievements and Awards

Ionela's dedication has paid off with numerous accolades. She won back-to-back world titles in 2017 and 2018. Following their gold medal at the 2018 world championships, she and her crewmate Gianina Elena Beleaga were named Athletes of the Year by the Romanian Rowing Federation.

Additionally, Ionela was honoured as the Athlete of the Year by CS Dinamo club in Romania during its annual awards gala in 2018.

Family Ties in Rowing

Rowing runs in Ionela's family. Her husband, Marius Cozmiuc, competed in rowing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and won a silver medal at the world championships in 2018. Her younger brother, Florin-Sorin Lehaci, also represents Romania in rowing and secured a silver medal at the U23 world championships in 2018.

Personal Interests

Away from rowing, Ionela enjoys travelling, dancing, playing cards, and socialising with friends. These hobbies provide a balance to her intense training schedule.

Ambitions

Looking ahead, Ionela aims to win gold at the Olympic Games. This goal drives her daily efforts and keeps her focused on achieving excellence in her sport.

Other Activities

In February 2019, Ionela and Gianina Elena Beleaga shared their experiences and insights into rowing during a TED Talk in Bacau, Romania. This event allowed them to connect with a broader audience and inspire others with their stories.

Ionela-Livia Lehaci's journey is marked by dedication, hard work, and a deep love for rowing. Her achievements reflect her commitment to the sport and her determination to reach new heights.