The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are still a couple of weeks away, but in the meantime, another local athlete is representing the United States this weekend in the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in the Czech Republic.
Sophia Hahn is a student at Yale University, but she has lived in North Georgia for the past year, where she trains at the Lake Lanier Rowing Club.
Hahn has been passionate about rowing for the past eight years, but this is the first time she has ever competed in the World U-23 Championships.
Howell Buot, head youth coach at the Lake Lanier Rowing Club, is also Hahn’s training partner.
“She just loves the sport,” Buot said. “Any opportunity that she can take to train, to work with others, she will do it. She’s a world-class athlete, obviously, and she would not hesitate to hop into a boat with someone who just learned to row this year.”
Buot said Hahn and her team won an initial heat on Thursday ahead of the world championship on Sunday.
World Rowing on YouTube will be streaming the race live on Sunday, although Buot said the schedule is typically fluid due to changing weather conditions.
“I am so proud of her, and she deserves everything,” Buot said. “I’m just honored I was able to train with her, I’m extremely lucky to train with such a high caliber athlete and person.”
When asked if he believed Hahn had an interest in competing in the 2024 Olympics, Buot responded, “for sure.”
