Aisha Chow Posts Her Fastest Time at Olympics

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — University of Miami alumna Aisha Chow put together her best time of the week in the women’s single sculls on Tuesday morning at the Rio Olympics.

Chow finished fifth in Quarterfinal 2 with a time of 8:02.53. Her fifth place finish sends her to Semifinal C/D 2, scheduled for 12:10 a.m. ET on Friday.

Chow, who is representing her home country of Trinidad and Tobago, has had a historic run in Rio. The 39-year-old became the first rower from Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the Olympics when she raced in Heat 6 of the women’s single sculls on Saturday.

The Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, native placed fifth in her Olympic debut race to move into the repechages. However, Chow and her fellow competitors in the repechage would have to wait a bit longer to race again as inclement weather forced a postponement on Sunday morning.

The wait was worth it as she earned one of two qualifying spots in Repechage 1 on Monday, finishing second with a time of 8:04.91. Chow’s second place finish in her repechage allowed her to advance to the quarterfinals.

A member of Miami’s rowing team from 1995-1999, Chow arrived at Miami on an academic scholarship before trying out rowing as a novice. She quickly found success and was thrust into the top varsity boat as a strong, but inexperienced freshman.

In her time at Miami, Chow helped the Hurricanes excel at notable regattas, including Head of the Hooch, and helped the team become one of the top programs at the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship. As a junior, Chow was part of the Hurricanes’ varsity eight that won a title at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association championship in 1997-98.

For official updates and information please visit HurricaneSports.com or “Like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/canesrowing. You can also “Follow” Miami rowing on Twitter at http://twitter.com/canesrowing. The program is also on Instagram.