This past weekend, BUCS Nationals – the most prestigious university sports event in the UK – brought together over 4,000 student-athletes from across the country to compete at the highest level of student sport. With Olympic medallists in the mix, the competition was intense, and our university was proudly represented by five incredibly talented students. The result? Two medals and numerous impressive performances across multiple disciplines.

Eva Kutman delivered an exceptional performance in pole vault, securing a bronze medal, continuing her impressive season where she’s achieved remarkable personal bests. Eva’s medal chances don’t just stop now, Eva will continue to represent LSBU this season where she will head to the BUCS Outdoor Athletics championships in May, hoping to continue her medal winning streak.

In fencing, Maxwell Jones continued to shine, earning a silver medal in his event. Maxwell, who represents Great Britain in the senior squad, demonstrated his world-class skills, and fierce determination. His silver finish at BUCS Nationals further solidifies his position as one of the top fencers in the country. Although BUCS Nationals marks the only opportunity for Maxwell to represent LSBU, he still has many more major events, including the World Cup taking place in Cairo this march, where he will be part of the British senior team.

But the success didn’t stop there. Three other athletes from our university competed with determination and resilience, adding to the overall success of our team.

Jennifer Eduwu, the reigning U23 English 100m champion, showed her speed and strength in the indoor athletics, finishing an impressive 4th place in the 60m final. Jennifer is now setting her sights on the outdoor championships in May, where she’s sure to bring her A-game and build on her incredible momentum.

In Karate, Natalia and Vasiliki Nestouri fought with determination, both progressing well through their events. Although they narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals, their performances were strong, and they continue to prove their potential on the national stage.

All of our athletes demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance, and we couldn’t be prouder of their performances. The BUCS Nationals is a true test of athletic ability, and our athletes excelled in a field that includes some of the best university talent in the UK.

Congratulations once again to Eva, Maxwell, Jennifer, Natalia, and Vasiliki for representing LSBU at the highest level of university sport. We look forward to seeing their continued success and are excited to support them in future events.

 

What is BUCS Nationals?

BUCS Nationals is the premier university sports event in the United Kingdom, organized by British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). It brings together student-athletes from universities across the nation to compete at the highest level in various sports. The event features multiple disciplines, including athletics, swimming, badminton, fencing, and karate, among others.

In 2025, BUCS Nationals took place in Sheffield, with competitions held across multiple venues. The event spanned several days, showcasing the talents of student-athletes in a highly competitive environment.

BUCS Nationals serves as a significant platform for university athletes to demonstrate their skills, with many participants having represented their countries in international competitions.

One of the standout athletes at BUCS Nationals 2025 was Daniel Wiffen, a swimmer from Loughborough University. Fresh off his gold medal victory in the 800m freestyle at the 2025 Paris Olympics, Wiffen returned to defend his titles in the 800m and 1500m events. Daniel also holds the world record in the 800-meter freestyle short course, set at 7:20.46 during the 2023 European Short Course Championships. Examples like Daniel are all around BUCS Nationals and truly highlights the standard of this competition.