LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND - MAY 27: Chierika Ukogu of Nigeria competes in the Women's Single Sculls heats during day 1 of the 2016 World Rowing Cup II at Rotsee on May 27, 2016 in Lucerne, Switzerland. (Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images)

Chierika Ukogu

We are just so proud of Team Nigeria!

Chierika ‘Coco’ Ukogu, 23, the first person to represent Nigeria in Rowing at the Olympics, today qualified for the semifinals of the event.

Ukogu’s story is so inspiring because she chose to represent her country, Nigeria, even without support. She sponsored her Olympics campaign herself through a GoFundMe Page she created.

She took it upon herself to get the necessary training and preparation to make sure she displays peak performance at the Olympics.

 

Photo Credit: Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images