This weekend, 111 university athletes competed across six disciplines at the 2026 BUCS Nationals in Sheffield. Representing the institution across all 6 sports: Athletics, Badminton, Climbing, Fencing, Karate and Swimming, students delivered outstanding performances, showcasing exceptional skill, determination and sportsmanship throughout the competition. In Athletics, three athletes reached the semi-finals of their respective events: Imogen Marshall (Women’s 1500m), Jamie Smith (Men’s 800m), and Robin Sneddon (Men’s 200m and 400m). Isabel Mansley progressed to the final of the Women’s 3000m, finishing an impressive fourth overall.The Badminton team produced a series of strong performances. Singles players Eilidh McCallister, Madelyn Geng, along with four doubles pairs progressed through the qualification rounds into the main draw. Madelyn Geng (Women’s Singles), Sophie and Madelyn (Women’s Doubles) and Jun and Yin (Women’s Doubles) all reached the last 16, while Jun and Torben advanced to the quarter finals in the Mixed Doubles. Both Madelyn Geng and the pairing of Jun and Torben exceeded expectations, surpassing their initial seedings.The Climbing team faced a demanding competition, completing 30 routes in a highly competitive field. Connie Rawlins secured a place in the finals, while the Women’s Team (Connie Rawlins, Ava Hamilton and Hope Henderson) achieved an excellent third-place finish, earning the bronze medal.Fencers demonstrated technical excellence and precision, returning with two medals. Holly Thompson) claimed silver in the Women’s Foil, while Georgia Silk secured a join third-place finish.In Karate, the university’s athletes delivered dominant performances across multiple categories. The Women’s Team earned bronze in the Team Kata and silver in Team Kumite. Individually, Brittany Yau secured silver in the Women’s Intermediate Kata, Ania Dabrowska won gold in the Women’s Novice Kumite (~57kg), and Jaz Thuku claimed bronze in ~63kg category. In the men’s events, Illia Nazarenko took bronze in Men’s Novice Kumite (~80kg), Adam Hamill won gold in Men’s Senior Kumite (~67kg), beating fellow athlete Daniel Lyons in the final, Joe Gallagher claimed gold in the ~75kg division. Overall, the Men’s Team secured gold in the Team Kumite.The Performance Swimming Team delivered a standout weekend, setting multiple BUCS records, achieving national honours, and returning with an impressive medal haul. Faye Rogers led the way with record-breaking performances in the Para 100m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle and 200m Butterfly. Archie Goodburn made headlines by setting a new Scottish record in the 50m Breaststroke, while also recording the second-fastest British time in history, behind Adam Peaty. Ciara Schlosshan set a new BUCS record in the 200m Butterfly. Additional medals included silver in the 100m Butterfly for Brodie Gordon-Gibson and silver for Anna Morgan in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke. SportDisciplineAthleteMedalClimbingWomen’s TeamConnie Rawlins, Ava Hamilton, Hope HendersonBronzeFencingWomen’s FoilHolly ThomsonSilverFencingWomen’s FoilGeorgia SilkBronzeKarateWomen’s Team KataAimee Wong Rogers, Leigh Gausi, Emma RussellBronzeKarateWomen’s Intermediate KataBrittany YauSilverKarateWomen’s Novice Kumite (~57kg)Ania DabrowskaGoldKarateWomen’s Novice Kumite (~63kg)Jaz ThukuBronzeKarateWomen’s Team KumiteSophie Fischer, Emma Russell, Brittany YauSilverKarateMen’s Novice Kumite (~80kg)Illia NazarenkoBronzeKarateMen’s Senior Kumite (~67kg)Adam HamillGoldKarateMen’s Senior Kumite (~67kg)Daniel LyonsSilverKarateMen’s Senior Kumite (~75kg)Joe GallagherGoldKarateMen’s Team KumiteAdam Hammill, Daniel Lyons, Joe Gallagher, Titaan De Wit, Seth Cockerham, Illia NazarenkoGoldSwimming100m BreaststrokeArchie GoodburnGoldSwimming200m ButterflyCiara SchlosshanGoldSwimmingFemale 400m Freestyle TeamKatie Renfrew, Morgan Brophy, Katie Goodburn, Ciara SchlosshanGoldSwimmingMixed 400m Medley TeamConor Cherrington, Archie Goodburn, Ciara Schlosshan, Morgan BrophyGoldSwimming100m ButterflyCiara SchlosshanGoldSwimming100m ButterflyBrodie Gordon-GibsonSilverSwimming50m BreaststrokeArchie GoodburnGoldSwimming50m ButterflyBrodie Gordon-GibsonGoldSwimming50m ButterflyCiara SchlosshanGold This article was published on 2026-02-17