East Bay Native Kara Kohler Qualifies for Third Olympics

East Bay native and Cal alum Kara Kohler is set to make her third Olympic appearance after securing a spot at the Paris Games with a dominant performance at the U.S. rowing trials in Sarasota, Florida.

The 33-year-old, who hails from Clayton in Contra Costa County, expressed her relief and excitement after winning the women’s single sculls event at the trials. Kohler, a four-time All-American at Cal, previously competed at the 2012 London Olympics, where she won a bronze medal, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she finished third in the B final.

Looking ahead to Paris, Kohler is determined to deliver a better performance than she did in Tokyo. “It wasn’t the performance I was capable of,” she said. “So this time I get to go to Paris with all these lessons to carry with me. It’s a big show, but I want to go there and I want to perform.”

Representing the USRowing Training Center in Princeton, Kohler dominated the trials, remaining undefeated throughout the week and winning the final by over six seconds. She took an early lead in the 2,000-meter race and never looked back, showcasing her strength and skill on the water.

Kohler’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by steady progress and determination. Following her performance in Tokyo, she continued to excel on the national team, finishing 13th at the 2022 World Rowing Championships and placing fourth at the 2023 Worlds.

With the women’s single sculls competition at Paris set to begin on July 27, Kohler is focused on making her mark on the world stage once again. As she prepares to represent the United States, fans can expect to see her determination and drive shine through as she competes against the best in the world.