in BUCS:
Over 6,000 students will descend on Sheffield this weekend (16-18 February) for three action packed days of sport.
The BUCS Nationals return to the city for its sixth year of competition and once again students from across the country will arrive in Sheffield in search of success across eight different sports.
Students, including Olympians and world champions, will wear their university colours as they compete for national titles in badminton, climbing, fencing, indoor athletics, judo, karate, rifle shooting and swimming.
The action begins on Friday before the competition culminates with the final medals being awarded on Sunday evening.
Last year, the University of Sheffield recorded their best ever medal haul, winning six gold, three silver and six bronze medals, and the athletes representing the black and gold will be hoping for further success this weekend.
One of last year’s medallists aiming for a return to the podium will be Panayiotis Loizides, who has been a regular on the BUCS podium over recent years in karate. The Cypriot athlete won silver in the men’s under-75kg Kumite Division last year after claiming bronze the previous two years.
Loizides, who competed for Cyprus in karate at the 2015 European Games, will take to the BUCS dojo once again, where he will be targeting the gold medal which has so far eluded him during his University career.
For some athletes this weekend will be their first taste of competition at BUCS Nationals. One of the black and gold athletes making their BUCS debut will be sprinter Ella Barrett, pictured, who will be one-to-watch in what is expected to be a hotly-contested women’s 200m and 400m competition.
Barrett, who is coached by Jessica Ennis-Hill’s former coach Toni Minichiello, said: “I am really looking forward to wearing the black and gold for the first time. There are a few nerves and I find myself touching wood whenever I think about it.
“However, competing for the University for the first time is very exciting and an honour so hopefully – touches wood again – I can do the team justice.”
Forge Radio will be broadcasting live coverage from the BUCS Nationals, including live commentary from all three of the swimming sessions on Saturday, and the athletics finals from EIS on Sunday.
Coverage from both days will be broadcast on Forge Radio Extra, which can be found by visiting forgetoday.com.
