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Chierika's (Coco) Olympic Campaign

My name is Chierika, Coco to many, Ukogu and I have been selected to represent Nigeria in the Women's Single Scull event. It is my ultimate goal to be the 1st Nigerian to row at the Olympic Games.

I am currently training for 30 hours/week with the top athletes in the Philadelphia area under coaches at Vesper Boat Club and Conshohocken Rowing Club, while conducting women's health research at the University of Pennsylvania. 

I will compete at the World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France on Aug 30-Sept 6 and 2016 African Olympic Qualification Regatta in Tunis, Tunisia on Oct 5-7th in hopes of qualifying for Games. 

I am not receiving any financial support from the Nigerian Rowing Federation, so my dream relies on your generousity! Money raised will go towards travel costs, entry fees, uniforms, boats, and anything needed to make the Olympics a reality! Please join me on my quest to make history in Rio.

About me:

My rowing career began in 2006 at Mount Saint Joseph Academy, and I was hooked as soon as I took my first stroke. Following high school, I attended Stanford University and competed at the D1 level while completing pre-med coursework. After graduating in 2014, I put medical school on hold to dedicate my time to training.   

I am honored to have the chance to represent Nigeria in the 2016 Olympic Games. I have always felt strong ties to Nigeria as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. In 2007, I founded a non-profit organization called Flip Flops for Africa and donated 10,000 pairs of flip flops to Nigerians in need. I hope that my athletic endeavors will inspire other Nigerians to take up rowing and experience the same joy I feel every time I'm on the water. 

I have been so blessed throughout my rowing career, from the Mount to Stanford, Vesper Boat Club, and Conshohocken Rowing Club.  I am proud to be a part of the long history of athletes who have raced for the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association and the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia. I am willing and able to put in the training to get to the next level, and I thank you for helping to make this dream a reality!
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Donations 

  • Stephen Ikem
    • $70 
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $1,000 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Chierika Coco Ukogu
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA

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