Nigeria’s First Ever Female Olympic Rower (Inspire Tuesday)
Chierika "Coco" Ukogu (23) Female Olympic Rower
- Born on October 2, 1992 in America to Nigeria migrant parents
- Pursue 2016 Olympic dream following “Wild Card” given to Hamadou Djibou Issaka, an athlete who only learnt to row 3 months to the 2012 Summer Olympic
- Contacted Johny Akinyemi, a London born Nigerian rower with similar experience
- Graduated from Stanford (2014) with a degree in Human Biology
- Was at crossroads as she didn’t take her medical school admission exams in good time
- After several months, was contacted by Nigerian officials
“If you show up for worlds and qualify, we will support you’.
- Qualified for 2016 Olympics at the Octoiber 2015 African Olympic Qualification Regatta in Tunis, Tunisia
“Only the top four qualify and I placed third behind Zimbabwe and Algeria,”
- Though Nigerian Sports Ministry pledged to sponsor her, had to raise funds to pay for her living expenses, equipment and travel to the Olympics.
- Could not raise funds to attend a one month training camp in Spain (February 2016) as she is jobless.
- Funds raised on GoFundme page was used to travel to the World Championship
Continue “training with world-class athletes at the Vesper Boat Club to get up to speed.”
- Raised funds on her GoFundMe page to attended the 2016 Rio Olympics
- First Nigerian woman in history to qualify for the semi-finals of the women’s Single sculls rowing event at the Olympics.
- Competed in quarter-final 3, to finish 5th in 7:54.44,
- Was 18th overall in the quarterfinals, qualifying her for a semi-final spot
- Finished fourth in the semi-finals and second in Final D of women’s Single Sculls Rowing event
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Supplier Performance & Relationship Management at MTN Nigeria
8 年I am speaking the mind of millions of Nigerians whose prayers will be with you. You are a motivation to a generation of achievers whose archetypes will be to "SERVE OUR FATHERLAND" first. We wish you the best Chierika. You are already a WINNER.
President/CEO, Paramount Image Ltd.
8 年A classical example of maladministration in Nigerian sports where greed of officials and administrators take precedence over those of athletes and preparations. There's no doubt that there abound in Nigeria greater sports superstars than are currently being showcased at world championships and Olympics. We surely will be freed some day from the stranglehold of the leech in our public administration.
Organisational Development | Recruitment | Performance Management | Employee Engagement | Learning & Development
8 年This is the worst sport administration so far in Nigeria. The things happening currently in this country are so unbelievable. I just hop we are in a 'processing' phase and our 'finished'product will be the best. Go for Gold girl!