“I started Powerlifting at the age of 16 and quickly rose to compete at national and international level. I wanted to continue competing nationally and internationally whilst I completed my undergraduate degree, so looked for a university that would support its sportsmen and women with scholarships. Bournemouth University did just that for me.
“In 2021, I was really proud to represent my country twice, as part of Team GB at the World Classic & European Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sweden, where I finished third overall. I also came second in the Euros in the U18 83kg class, as well as winning British nationals that year.
“I continued to train hard and eventually moved up into the under 24 age category, where I picked up a significant injury when competing at the 2023 National Championships. Recovering from this took some time, but I was determined to compete in the 2024 National Championships. My hard work paid off as I not only was I able to take part, but I became the 2024 Junior 93kg English Champion.
“The next big competition that I had to prepare for beyond the National Championships was the 2024 Commonwealth Championships, which were held in South Africa. Travelling overseas for a competition presented its own set of challenges, especially with it being a long-haul flight to south Africa. However, having competed internationally before, I already had some experience of what it would be like and how to adjust as necessary. This was by far the furthest I’d travelled for a competition though; but thankfully with the time difference only being an hour there was no jet lag to adjust to. Nutrition is always the big one with an overseas competition – where what you can bring with you is limited by customs and its often a fairly big unknown with what the food will be like there.
“By the end of the Championships, I was named the Junior 93kg Commonwealth Champion and took home a gold medal in the bench press event in addition to a bronze medal in the deadlift event. I also set a Commonwealth bench press record of 185.5kg.
“Following the success at the Commonwealth Championships, my goal is to continually progress and climb the ladder to further success. Both my coach and I look forward to what I can achieve from this point on.
“SportBU and everyone who works there were really encouraging and helpful throughout my time at Bournemouth University, by supporting my sporting performance through the scholarship programme. Through the programme, I was given help in many ways: financially, access to the recovery facilities and support with balancing training, competing and academic requirements. All of this has enabled me to further myself within the sport, along develop as an athlete and student.”
Want to know more about our sports scholarships?
If you’re a high-performing athlete and on a regional, national or international sports programme, you can apply for one of our sports scholarships – designed to provide you with the funding to take your sporting abilities to the next level. Find out more about our scholarships.
Head to YouTube to hear how four of our sports scholars explain how their sports scholarships help them balance their university studies and their sporting aspirations.
