Growing up in a busy area of London didn’t allow Vwairé Obukohwo much freedom for an active lifestyle.  She was the exact opposite of someone that you would describe as sporty, but aged 16 this changed when she attended sixth form and discovered rowing.

Since she joined the sport, Vwaire has been smashing records, including an age group world record in the 1 minute category (344m) and four British age group records in the 6000m at 21:56.3. This year she took bronze in double sculls at the U23 World Rowing Championships and won double sculls gold at Henley Women’s Regatta. The 21-year-old, a final year student at London’s Royal Holloway University is studying for her BSc in Economics while juggling her busy rowing schedule, as well as working as an athlete mentor for the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Vwaire describes her experiences of rowing in a predominantly white, upper-class space, how she wants to represent and inspire young rowers, …and why Nicki Minaj often features in her pre-race ritual!

Read the full interview HERE