Henley sculling title stays with Mahe Drysdale

Drysdale will defend his World title in New Zealand in November

New Zealander Mahe Drysdale overcame injury to retain his Diamond Challenge Sculls title at Henley Royal Regatta.

The four-time World Champion beat Sweden's Lassi Karonen by three lengths in Sunday's final.

Drysdale told BBC Berkshire: "It was my first real challenge back and I really thought I was going to struggle.

"You just get through the race and you remember how you do it and remember what the pain feels like and it's not actually as bad as you think."

Drysdale will next race at the World Cup regatta in Lucerne at the weekend, before attempting to defend his World Championship title at home in New Zealand in November.

He added that Henley Royal Regatta was an important part of his preparation plans.

"[Henley Royal Regatta] is a great event and unique. The prestige of it is huge and you want to win as much as you can.

"I've had a sore back for the last four and a half months, so I've struggled to train as I normally would. It's about building up to Lucerne next week."

And Drysdale admitted that while Lucerne is important, the World Championships is in his mind as well.

"It's huge - the crowds are going to be great and it's done a huge amount for our country. And 2012 is on the horizon and that's also what we're looking at."