Student athletes celebrate sporting success across national and international competitions
University of Birmingham Athletics Club
The University of Birmingham is celebrating a remarkable period of sporting success, with student athletes and alumni delivering outstanding performances across national and international competitions.
From record‑breaking results in the pool to medal‑winning performances on the track, podium finishes in rowing and global competition experience, Birmingham athletes continue to demonstrate excellence in performance sport.
Ranked second in the UK and ninth globally in the QS World University Rankings for sports-related subjects, these achievements are underpinned by the University’s world‑class facilities, expert coaching and leading sports research, which together create an environment where athletes can thrive.
University of Birmingham athletes delivered another exceptional performance at the British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) Athletics Outdoor Championships in Cardiff, securing second place overall for the fourth consecutive year.
Overall, the team achieved:
14 medals (2 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze)
32 top eight finishes
Gold medal success came from Ore Adepegba in the long jump, marking a standout return from injury; alongside an outstanding performance from the women’s 4x400m relay team, which also set a new club record.
Birmingham athletes continue to excel beyond BUCS competitions, with third year student Jake Minshull earning bronze in the mixed 4x400m at the World Relays, securing qualification for the 2027 World Championships.
Andy Allford, Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham, said: “These results speak to the commitment of our student athletes, the expertise of our staff, and the world‑class environment that makes Birmingham one of the UK’s leading universities for sport. I’m privileged to be leading a team like this, with so much potential still to unlock ahead of future competitions.”
Ore Adepegba in the long jump
Birmingham rowers also delivered an outstanding performance at the BUCS Rowing Regatta in Nottingham, securing five medals and finishing 11th overall, with the women’s team placing fifth.
The highlight came from Katie Mole, who was crowned BUCS Champion in the Championship Single Sculls.
Further gold success was achieved by Cari Meredith and Emily Fergusson in the Intermediate Lightweight 2, and Amelia Flaxman, Darcy Smyth, Cari Meredith and Emily Fergusson in the Championship Lightweight 4.
Three Birmingham boats also qualified for the European University Sports Association (EUSA) Championships, demonstrating the programme’s growing international strength.
Reflecting on her experience, Katie Mole, a postgraduate medical student, said:
“I’m incredibly proud to come out with a gold medal at BUCS Rowing Regatta. It’s a fantastic achievement and I’m thankful to my fellow athletes and coaches for their continued support. I’m grateful to attend a university that doesn’t just see participating in sport alongside academia as possible but hugely important. I’ll happily fly this banner as long as I can!”
Cari Meredith and Emily Fergusson in the Intermediate Lightweight 2
Across the wider performance sport programme, Birmingham’s teams have continued to build momentum and achieve success across other BUCS competitions, with 21 leagues winners this year, across Badminton, Basketball, Football, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Tennis and Volleyball.
Notable achievements include:
Netball Women’s 2s securing promotion to Premier North 2.
Golf Mixed 1s earning promotion to the Southern Premier division and finishing as National Trophy runners‑up.
Women’s Rugby 1s taking a step towards promotion with a 57–19 playoff victory.
In the pool, Birmingham also secured a fourth place finish at the BUCS Swimming Team Championships, with individual gold medal performances from Thomasina Grove in butterfly and Josh Golsby‑Taylor in backstroke.
Women's 4x400m relay team
Adding to the university’s swimming success, a record 39 Birmingham swimmers competed at the Aquatics GB British Championships in April - marking the largest group of qualifiers in the club’s history.
The Championships provide a world‑class competitive environment and serve as qualification events for major international competitions, including the European and Commonwealth Games.
Alumnus and Olympian Ollie Morgan led the way, claiming three further British titles and extending his unbeaten run across all backstroke events. Current student Izabella Okaro also delivered a breakthrough performance, reaching her first British final and setting new club records.
The University’s Head Swimming Coach, Gary Humpage, was named Coach of the Day by the British Swimming Coaches Association, in recognition of the strength of coaching and environment supporting Birmingham athletes.
Our student athletes continue to demonstrate what can be achieved when academic excellence is combined with outstanding coaching support.
Birmingham athletes also competed at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, one of the world’s most renowned international athletics events.
A team of eight student athletes represented the University on the global stage, gaining valuable experience against elite competition while also setting new club records. Now in its 130th year, the event remains a cornerstone of international athletics.
The University’s participation is underpinned by its longstanding transatlantic sporting partnerships with Ivy League Universities in the United States (Penn, Cornell, Harvard and Yale), initiated in 1962 by the late Professor Mike Hayes.
University of Birmingham athletes competing in the steeplechase event
The University’s sport research spans increasing participation and enhancing performance, to improving health through exercise, and advancing rehabilitation - delivering real-world impact across all stages of life. Initiatives such as the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues’ ‘Character Through Sport: Principles and Practices of a Virtues-Based Framework' demonstrate how Birmingham combines academic insight with practical application to support athlete development.
Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Education) said: "Our student athletes continue to demonstrate what can be achieved when academic excellence is combined with outstanding coaching support.
"These successes reflect the strength of our sporting expertise and our commitment to enabling students to thrive both on and off the field.”
Ranked 76th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings and 98th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the University of Birmingham is one of the world’s leading universities, this year marking 80 years since it became the first UK university to offer undergraduate teaching in physical education.
Birmingham is recognised for providing a world‑class environment for sport and performance, supporting student athletes, welcoming international competitors, and hosting major global events.
With success across multiple disciplines and levels of competition, the University of Birmingham continues to demonstrate its position as one of the UK’s leading sporting universities, supporting athletes to achieve excellence on both the national and global stage.
For media enquiries please contact Tim Mayo, Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)7815 607 157.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Biographical and contact information for Professor Deborah Longworth in the Department of English at the University of Birmingham.
