| James Plihal | |
| Birth Date: | June 19, 1996 |
| Height: | 6 ft 10 in |
| Weight: | 218 lbs |
| Sport: | Rowing |
| Show-Medals: | yes |
James Jacob Plihal (born June 19, 1996) is an American rower. At the 2023 Pan American Games, he won gold as a member of the mixed eight competition. He competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the men's single sculls.
Plihal was born June 19, 1996.[1] He graduated from Vashon Island High School in 2014,[2] then from Northeastern University in 2018 with a degree in architectural studies.[3]
Plihal rowed competitively for Northeastern University. In 2015, he finished second in the varsity eight at the Eastern Sprints. He was nominated to the IRA All-American team three times and was named team captain in 2016.
At the 2017 World Rowing U23 Championships, Plihal finished 14th in the quad sculls. He finished 18th at the same competition the following year. In 2020, he finished fourth in the double sculls at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. In 2022, he finished ninth in the double sculls at the World Rowing Cup II. At the 2023 Pan American Games, Plihal won gold as a member of the mixed eight competition, and silver in the men's single sculls.[4]
He competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in the men's single sculls, where he placed 13th. His final time (6:41) is an all time US record in the discipline.
As of 2023, Plihal lives and trains in Craftsbury, Vermont.