Southampton students and members of the University Taekwondo Club, Oliver Perez and Isra Ilyas, are heading to the European University Games in Lodz, Poland to represent the University in Taekwondo.
Running from 17-30 July, the pair have qualified to compete in the largest academic sporting event in Europe which expects to see student-athletes representing over 400 universities from 40 countries in 20 sports.
Oliver – who just finished his second year in Aerospace Electronic Engineering – qualified for the European University Games earlier this year after claiming two gold medals at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).
He recalls this being his proudest achievement since starting the sport and tells us how the Southampton University Taekwondo Club (SUTKD) have helped him achieve success. He said:
“After a year and half of lockdown and not leaving my house (not practising any sport either), last June I discovered the SUTKD so I joined them and, lucky for me, we have some outstanding coaches who have helped me achieve a fitness and technical level on the sport that I would not have thought I would have reached back then.”
Isra – this year’s president of SUTKD and Sportswoman of the Year at the Southampton University Athletic Union Ball – has qualified for the games three years in a row, placing fifth at the last games. Undefeated in her category this year, she walks through her preparations for the competition where she hopes to win a medal:
“I have been working with my coaches at the University and LMC Taekwondo Club to work towards my sporting goals throughout the year. I have also worked alongside the Sports Bursary Team at Wide Lane through strength and conditioning which has really helped my development as an athlete this year. Sessions at all three venues have pushed me mentally and physically to be my best, so I am excited to see how this all plays out in the ring.”
The journey to success has not always been easy for the duo, especially when balancing training and competing alongside their studies. Oliver said: “It is not always easy to mix them both due to deadlines and exams from my very demanding course, but I love to keep my mind busy and out of any work after a long day on campus!”
Isra, who is a third-year medical student, added: “My third-year exams only just finished, so it has been harder than usual to prepare myself for the games. Balancing sport and academia has also been more difficult as it has been my first proper year on placements, but fortunately I have been placed in Southampton and able to still train.”
Isra continued: “The key is to be organised and motivated to do both. At times it does get tough, but I remember the end goal and how it will all be worth it if I put the effort in.”
Isra hopes that her success to date and at the games will help raise awareness of the club and sport of Taekwondo at the University.
We wish them both the best of luck and every success at the competition!
If you feel inspired by this success story and want to find out more about the SUTKD club, visit Facebook and Instagram.
For all sport opportunities at the University, visit the Southampton Sport website.
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