PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Former Stanford women’s rower Chierika Ukogu ’14 is attempting to become the first Nigerian to row in the Olympics.
Selected to represent Nigeria in the women’s single scull event, Ukogu is training in Philadelphia while she conducts women’s health research at Penn.
This week she raced at the Elite Nationals and coming up on her schedule is the World Rowing Championships Aug. 30 – Sept. 6 in Aiguebelette, France and the 2016 African Olympic Qualification Regatta in Tunis, Tunisia Oct. 5-7.
Ukogu is not receiving any financial help from Nigeria as she pursues this dream. She has created a gofundme page for people to help her pay for travel, entry fees, uniforms and boat rentals throughout the qualification process.