Outstanding Performances for UoB Athletes at BUCS Nationals
University of Birmingham student-athletes have, once again, delivered exceptional performances at the BUCS Nationals, with a plethora of podium finishes across multiple sports. From record-breaking swims to historic badminton medals, our scholars showcased their dedication, talent, and determination on the national stage.
Golden Farewell for Ollie at BUCS Nationals
Ollie Morgan capped off his final BUCS Championships in spectacular fashion, winning GOLD in the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke. His outstanding performances helped the UoB Swimming Team secure a record fifth-place finish in the overall standings—an incredible achievement for the squad.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Head of Swimming, Gary Humpage said:
“I am so incredibly pleased with the team and all results from the weekend. To be this close to his British record whilst in heavy training is incredibly promising, and it’s exciting to see what may come next. The professionalism, belief, and determination displayed by the team were outstanding, and their support for each other was unwavering throughout the weekend. At the beginning of the year, we set a goal to move towards the top five, but to achieve it this quickly was beyond expectation.”
Badminton Brilliance – Historic Silver for Samayara
First-year scholar Samayara Panwar made history by winning SILVER in the women’s singles—the first individual BUCS badminton medal in 13 years. Her run to the final included a thrilling quarter-final victory over the number one seed before falling just short in the final after an incredible battle.
Head of Badminton, Lorraine Cole, shared her pride in the achievement:
“I’ve been coaching at UoB for 13 years, and this is the first silver medal in BUCS individuals during that time. Samayara is a scholar and a fresher, and she has so much potential. A magnificent performance that made me very proud.”
Athletics – A Third Consecutive Year of Success
The Athletics team continued their dominance, securing second place in both the men’s and women’s competitions for the third year running, along with seven individual medals. With many first-year athletes making an impact, the future looks incredibly bright.
Head of Performance Sport, Luke Gunn, reflected on the achievement:
“It was great to secure second place team at these championships for the third year running, which is no mean feat. We had many new names and first-year students in the team, some earning medals at their first try, but many more showing that the future is very exciting indeed for BUAC. Just 11 weeks now until our Outdoor Championships, and we will be ready with more face paint and, of course, vigour for silverware.”
Fencing Success – Top Performances Across All Disciplines
The fencing team delivered outstanding performances, securing multiple top finishes in a highly competitive field:
- Kylie Savoye – fifth place in Women’s Foil (out of 74 competitors)
- Mariia Sheviakova – seventh place in Women’s Sabre (out of 53 competitors)
- Amelie Russell – eighth place in Women’s Épée (out of 59 competitors)
Alongside these fantastic individual results, Birmingham’s fencers secured multiple top 32 and top 64 finishes across all six categories, proving the team’s strength and depth on the national stage.
Karate Stars Secure Multiple Medals
It was also a hugely successful BUCS Nationals for Karate, with athletes securing an impressive tally of medals across a variety of disciplines:
Gold Medals:
- Nicholas Teo – Novice Male Kata
- Dylan Bendall – Novice Male Kumite (-70kg)
Silver Medals:
- Roni Parnes – Intermediate Female Kata
- Katherine Galvin – Novice Female Kata & Novice Female Kumite (+63kg)
- Jack Maher – Novice Male Kumite (-70kg)
- Lowri Davies – Senior Female Kumite (-55kg)
- Neve Carrington – Senior Female Kumite (-61kg)
- Senior Male Team Kumite
Bronze Medals:
- Jack Maher – Novice Male Kata
- Tom Harrison – Novice Male Kumite (+80kg)
- Helen Lewis – Novice Female Kumite (+63kg)
- Melissa Gregory – Intermediate Female Kata
- Jennifer Forbes – Senior Female Kumite (-61kg)
- Senior Mixed Team Kata
- Senior Female Team Kumite
This outstanding set of results demonstrates the strength of Karate on the national stage, with competitors excelling in both individual and team events.
Climbers Scale the Rankings with Strong Performances
The climbing team put in a fantastic effort at BUCS Nationals, representing the University of Birmingham against some of the best university climbers in the country. A squad of five men and five women took on the challenge, showcasing their skill, determination, and team spirit.
While we await the full results, their participation alone is a testament to the growth and dedication of the squad. With climbing continuing to thrive at Birmingham, this competition marks another exciting step forward for the team.
A Proud Moment for Sport
These incredible performances across multiple sports highlight the talent, resilience, and commitment of our student-athletes. Whether competing in the pool, on the court, on the track, or on the fencing strip, University of Birmingham athletes continue to represent the University with pride.
With the outdoor season fast approaching, we look forward to seeing even more success stories unfold in the coming months. Congratulations to all our athletes, coaches, and support staff on a fantastic BUCS Nationals!
