Desharne Bent-Ashmeil, School of Health & Social Care, made history at the 2024 European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where she won three gold medals in three days. The 19-year-old diver claimed top honors in the 3m Springboard with an impressive score of 305.15, more than 60 points ahead of the runner-up. She also earned gold in the Women’s 3m Synchro alongside Amy Rollinson, and in the Mixed 3m Synchro with Ben Cutmore.

You can catch her Gold winning Women’s 3m Synchro performance by following this link by clicking here.

Now part of LSBU Active Sports Scholarship Programme, Desharne is balancing her academic journey with her goal of competing at the 2028 Olympic Games. With her continued drive and support from LSBU Active, Desharne is poised to make even bigger waves in the world of diving.

We’re thrilled to announce that Michael Whitley (3^rd Year, Integrated Masters in Chiropracting) and Arron Gengadoo (4^th year, BSc Honours and Product Design student) placed third in the World Championship Hand-to-Hand in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, competing among participants from 49 countries. The event took place from October 10th to 14th, and their performances were outstanding.

Michael and Arron fought four intense matches throughout the tournament. After a hard-fought semifinal, they went on to compete for third place—and secured it with resilience and skill. They spent their summer preparing at LSBU Active, training in both boxing and Muay Thai under the guidance of Golib, our dedicated coach who conducts boxing and Muay Thai sessions for students and the local community. Their hard work and commitment were truly commendable, and this result is a testament to their effort and passion.

Here’s what Michael had to say about his experience: “The World Championships were amazing, and it was such an experience to be able to go there and represent Hong Kong. It was great to meet a bunch of new fighters and experience different styles of fighting.” When asked how he got into Muay Thai, Michael claims to have started his journey at LSBU Active, just to try out something new and now has a “great love” for the sport and highly commends his coach Golib’s involvement in his development – Michael Whiteley, 3^rd Year, Integrated Masters in Chiropracting.

At LSBU Active, we are hugely proud their achievement and of Golib’s fantastic contribution to these efforts.

For anyone interested in trying boxing or Muay Thai, Golib offers both beginner and advanced sessions at LSBU, open to all skill levels. Current session times are as follows:

• Monday: Boxing, 7–8 pm | Muay Thai, 8–9 pm
• Wednesday: Boxing, 6–7 pm
• Thursday: Muay Thai, 8:30–10 pm
• Friday: Muay Thai, 6–8 pm

It’s never too late to get involved!

On Wednesday 29^th May LSBU Active celebrated and recognised students involved in sport at LSBU supported by London South Bank Student’s Union. The sold-out event saw over 100 students coming together from sports clubs, the social Just Play programme, sports scholars and student sports coaches on the Sports Ambassador Scheme. The event recognised the impact, engagement, development and sporting performance of all the students. It was an amazing night celebrating all of the students achievements showcasing how much sports enhances the student experience at LSBU. The sense of belonging, social connections, and pride in being an LSBU student in the sport for student programme really stood out. 

The award winners:  

Sports Ambassador of the Year- Impact: Katerina Efenberkova, School of Arts and Creative Industries 
 
Sports Ambassador of the Year- Development: Seon Kabia, School of Business 

Social Sport of the Year – with Special Mention:  Cricket and Emdad Shah

Club Leader of the Year: Nayana Gash, Cheerleading Club Leader, School of Applied Science 
 
Unsung Hero: Florence Smart, School of Health and Social Care 
 
Club of the Year- Impact: Women’s Football 
 
Club of the Year- Engagement: Cheerleading 
 
Club of the Year- Development: Women’s Rugby 
 
Sportsperson of the Year: Maxwell Jones, 1^st year, School of Health and Social Care 
 
Team of the Year: Men’s Rugby  
 

Iliyan Stefanov, Director of Student Services enjoyed attending the event: “It’s fantastic, there is so much energy in this room, I can’t believe it!” 

Nicole Louis, Chief Operating Officer of The LSBU Group joined in with the celebrations: “It’s been a real reminder of how important sport, recreation and team spirit is, I’ve been really impressed with all of the teams, all of the individuals. It’s the energy, it’s the fun, it’s the team spirit and most importantly it’s LSBU Active!”  

Over the weekend (18 – 19 May) two current LSBU students competed on the international stage of sport. Maxwell Jones, School of Health and Social Care, was out in Shanghai as part of the British Fencing Senior squad, with Jennifer Eduwu, also School of Health and Social Care, called up for the England Athletics Senior squad at the Loughborough International Athletics meet.

For both these students this is their first senior call-up to their national teams and LSBU Active are very proud to be able to support them both.

Following her performance at the BUCS (British University and Colleges Sport) Outdoor Athletics Championships representing LSBU, Jennifer received her first call up to the England Athletics team. Jennifer represented England in the 4x100m relay, as well as also competing as a guest runner in the 100m individual event, finishing third in her final. The Loughborough International Athletics meet is widely recognised as the opener to the outdoor season with past and present British Olympians competing at the Paula Radcliffe Stadium. The event invites teams representing England, Wales, Scotland, GB&NI Under-20s and the National Athletics League to compete against each other as the outdoor season gets underway.

Jennifer Edwu said: “Being on the England Senior athletics Team was a great experience, positive vibes all around as the coaches and team leaders were very supportive. It was nice to meet people in the track community as 100m is an individual event, but the relay is really a team effort so bonding with the girls on the team was lovely. I am also very pleased with my performance in the 100m, definitely heading in the right direction just need to stay focused and enjoy the journey along the way, as this is just the beginning”

For Maxwell it was his first senior call up to represent GB, previously competing in the Junior teams. Maxwell travelled out to Shanghai for the FIE Grand Prix two-day event as part of the British 12 man squad, Max started off the event well, progressing out of the group stage and into the knockout rounds where he won his first round 15 points to 7. Maxwell finished inside the top 100 ahead of previous Olympic medallists and scored the third highest placed British fencer at the event.

Maxwell said he was very happy with his performances at the event and LSBU Active are proud to have been able to support in his journey.

Maxwell has also previously represented LSBU at the British University National Championships.

Over the weekend we also saw a bronze medal for LSBU Alumni Ellis Miller. Ellis Miller, LSBU Alumni and previous LSBU Active scholar, secured a bronze medal on the European stage. Ellis secured third place as part of Great Britain’s C1 Womens team at the European Canoe Slalom Championships in Tacen, Slovenia. Previously Ellis has medalled in other events, including wearing LSBU colours where she secured gold and silver medal in 2023 at the BUCS Canoe and Kayak championships, as well as the Gold in the 2022 championships. Ellis is looking ahead with the aim to be selected for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Congratulations to Maxwell Jones for his first call up to the senior GB Fencing squad for the Shanghai Grand Prix event.

Maxwell Jones, School of Health and Social Care, has recently had his first call up to compete as one of a 12-man squad for Great Britain in the FIE Grand Prix event taking place in Shanghai. Max, supported through the LSBU Active scholarship program; allowing him to balance his studies and student experience with elite sport, has previously represented LSBU at the British University National Championships as well as regularly competing for Great Britain on the junior stage, and on the national stage with his club outside of LSBU.

Max said the following about his selection:

“I have recently been selected to represent Great Britain at the senior Grand Prix in Shanghai, China. These events are the highest level of international fencing bringing together past, present, and future Olympic medallists to compete, to gain points towards their world rankings. Countries may only send a maximum of twelve athletes to represent them and I’m lucky to be amongst this small group. This will be my first experience fencing at such a competition, so I’m really excited about getting to fight against this calibre of opponents and really test my abilities. This will hopefully be the first of many events that I can represent the nation for at a senior level, and will look forward to trying to carry on my performance into the future.”

LSBU Active are incredibly proud to support Max as part of our scholarship program and wish him the best of luck out in Shanghai.