Rio 2016: Nigerian rower, Chierika Ukogu, qualifies for the semi-final • Three Nigerians create records at ongoing Olympics

Posted by admin Headlines, Sports, Track & Field Wednesday, August 10th, 2016

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Rio 2016: Nigerian rower, Chierika Ukogu, qualifies for the semi-final • Three Nigerians create records at ongoing Olympics

Chierika Ukogu

Nigerian rower, Chierika Ukogu has qualified for the semi-final of the Women’s Single sculls rowing event in Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Ukogu finished fifth in Quarterfinal 3 and although she was initially ruled to have been knocked out, the Nigerian was called back.

The 24-year-old will now compete in Semifinal C/D 1 scheduled for Thursday, August 10.

Ukogu, who is the first Nigerian to represent the country in rowing, is a graduate of Stanford University and trained with the US team before the Rio 2016 Olympics.

In an interview she had before the Olympics, Ukogu said her goal has always been to represent Nigeria in the Olympics.

“It is my ultimate goal to be the 1st Nigerian to row at the Olympic Games,” she said.

“Heading into Rio, it’s a really wonderful opportunity for Nigeria. This is the first time we’ve had an athlete at the Olympics in the sport of Rowing.

Nigerians create records at Rio Olympics

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At least three Nigerian athletes in the ongoing Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games created records of sorts that will be cherished in a longtime to come.

The trio with records are two table tennis stars, Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri as well as Rower, Chierika Ukogu .

The 41 year-old Toriola had his 7th appearance in the current Games, equaling the table tennis record. This has made him the most capped African Olympian.

Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri set another continental record after the 2014 ITTF star became the first African to reach the quarterfinals of men’s singles event at Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Ukogu on the other hand, qualified for top classification in the rowing event in Rio.

She is Nigeria’s first ever rower in the Olympics to have got that far, placing fifth in the third quarter final of the Women’s single sculls after clocking a time of 7:54.44 secs.

She will now participate in the semi finals C/D 1 event on Wednesday. This is the 23-year-old’s first ever appearance in the Olympics. wp_posts