VITALS
NAME: Dara Ching
HOMETOWN: Mililani, HI
BIO
Dara was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii. She has been a competitive athlete for the majority of her life. While growing up in Hawaii, she competed in a multitude of sports: aikido, jazz dancing, ballet, gymnastics, tap dancing, swimming, springboard diving, wrestling, judo, and air riflery. It was at the United States Academy where she began Olympic weightlifting. Through college, Dara competed nationally in Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting.
Upon graduating from the United States Naval Academy, Dara received a commission in the United States Navy as a Naval Flight Officer. A few years after her commissioning, she was able to use her background in weightlifting to help her transition into the Crossfit world. Throughout her career in the Navy, Dara continued to train and compete in USAW Olympic weightlifting events and Crossfit competitions. She is a five-time USAW Senior National Championship qualifier, a five-time USAW American Open qualifier, and a five-time Crossfit Individual Regional qualifier. After eight and a half years of Naval service, she resigned her commission in the United States Navy to pursue a new career as a physical therapist.
Currently, Dara is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy at the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, California. She continues to train at Crossfit Double Barrel and Bear Republic Crossfit.
