Success for Edinburgh University at BUCS Nationals

This past weekend, 122 University of Edinburgh athletes competed across six disciplines at the 2024 BUCS Nationals held in Sheffield. With students competing in Athletics, Badminton, Climbing, Fencing, Karate, and Swimming, the university's athletes brought their A-game, demonstrating exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship. 

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In Athletics, Alyson Bell sprinted her way to victory in the 60 meters event, securing the gold medal. Meanwhile, Hannah Anderson displayed her talent, securing the silver in the competitive 1500m race. Not to be outdone, Hector the Panda, the Edinburgh University Sports Union mascot, sprinted to an impressive third place in the Mascot Race, adding to the spirit of the event. 

 

In Badminton, Edinburgh's representatives delivered commendable performances. The duo’s Zachary Wong and Torben Trapp and Zachary Wong and Wen Jun Cheah, in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles both showcased their amazing skills reaching the quarter-finals, the first time Edinburgh University has qualified to this round for 6 years. We also saw outstanding performances from Women’s doubles pairs Jane Yi Chiam and Wen Jun Cheah, and Annet Karsai and Eilidh McCallister and Deepthi Ramesh in the women’s singles all advanced to the last 16 round.  

 

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The climbing team had 30 routes to complete at their event, in a very competitive field we saw success with Connie Rawlings finishing 9th and and Johnnie Noel-Baker coming 15th. 

 

The Fencers demonstrated finesse and precision in their bouts. Mhairi McLaughlin, Patrycja Krzyzaniak and Quentin Geoffroy claimed second place in women's foil, women’s epee and men's sabre, respectively. A bronze medal was secured by Maddy Gale secured in women's foil. Notable performances were also seen from Ellen Buckley, 6th in the women’s foil and Isaac McKerr 9th in the men’s epee. 

 

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In Karate, the university's athletes dominated in the Kumite discipline. Adam Hamill and Antoine Pinardin showed their skills in the men’s senior -60kg and senior 84kg+ categories, both going all the way to win the gold medal. In an exciting women’s senior -68kg catagory Holly Buchanan and Sophie Fischer found themselves competing against each other in an all-Edinburgh final. An exciting fight saw Holly secure the gold medal and Sophie Fischer take the silver. The team also secured a collective second-place finish, highlighting the depth and talent of the team. 

 

Edinburgh's swimmers left their mark in the pool, earning 4 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze medals across the weekend. Archie Goodburn and Kara Hanlon displayed dominance in the breaststroke events winning the 50m and 200m events respectively. David Cumberlidge impressed in the 50m and 100m freestyle events, claiming gold and silver medals. Laura Pilkington showed her class in the multi class 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle claiming 2nd and 3rd place. In the relay events the men’s 4x100m freestyle team stormed to victory in a very competitive and exciting race, showcasing exceptional teamwork. 

 

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Full Medal Results

Alyson Bell Gold Athletics - Women's 60m
Hannah Anderson Silver Athletics - Women's 1500m
Mhairi McLaughlin Silver Fencing  - Women's Foil
Quentin Geoffroy Silver Fencing - Men's Sabre
Patrycia Kryzyzaniak Silver Fencing - Women's Epee
Maddy Gale Bronze Fencing - Women's Foil
Adam Hamill Gold Karate - Men's Senior -60kg Kumite
Holly Buchanan Gold Karate - Women's Senior -68kg Kumite
Antoine Pinardin Gold Karate - Men's Senior 84kg+ Kumite
Sophie Fischer Silver Karate - Women's Senior -68kg Kumite
Madeleine Bell Bronze Karate - Women's Novice 63kg+ Kumite
UoE Karate Team Silver Karate - Overall Team
Archie Goodburn Gold Swimming - Men's 50m Breastsroke
David Cumberlidge Gold Swimming - Men's 50m Freestyle
Kara Hanlon Gold Swimming - Women's 200m Breaststroke
Men's Relay Team Gold Swimming - Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay
David Cumberlidge Silver Swimming - Men's 100m Freestyle
Archie Goodburn Silver Swimming - Men's 100m Breaststroke
Uiseann Cooke Silver Swimming - Women's 200m Breaststroke
Ciara Schlosshan Silver Swimming - Women's 200m Butterfly
Laura Pilkington Silver Swimming - Women's MC 100m Breaststroke
Men's Relay Team Silver Swimming - Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Kara Hanlon Silver Swimming - Women's 50m Breaststroke
Mixed Relay Team Silver Swimming - Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Scott Gibson Bronze Swimming - Men's 100m Backstroke 
Ciara Schlosshan Bronze Swimming - Women's 100m Butterfly
Brodie Gordon-Gibson  Bronze Swimming - Men's 100m Butterfly
Scott Gibson Bronze Swimming - Men's 50m Backstroke
Laura Pilkington Bronze Swimming - Women's MC 50m Freestyle
Women's Relay Team Bronze Swimming - Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Hector the Panda Bronze Athletics - Mascot Race