Sports Performance student Riku Biscomb ready to step up as he represents Britain at World Kendo Championship in Milan

University of Bath student Riku Biscomb is taking to the global stage for the first time as he represents Great Britain at the 19th World Kendo Championship in Milan, Italy.
Biscomb, who has just completed the first year of a Sports Performance course, is supported in his dual student-athlete careers by the Student Performance Sport Breakthrough Programme and does his gym work at the Team Bath Sports Training Village while also training with Bath Kendo Club.
“I’ve been to two European Championships before but this is my first Worlds,” said Biscomb. “I’m only 19 so while I’d like to win medals I’m not really expecting that at this stage. There are no weight classes in kendo and I’ve moved up from juniors to the men’s category now, which is a big step up physically, so I’m mainly looking to gain experience.”
Biscomb was introduced to kendo – a Japanese semi-contact martial art he describes as “somewhere between fencing and boxing” – by his father.
“We are rivalling France as probably the best nation in Europe but in terms of world competition it is Japan and South Korea who dominate,” he said. “The sport is growing in popularity, though, and I think maybe in a few years we can start to climb that ladder.”
Biscomb is enjoying his time at Bath, saying: “The University of Bath is one of the most renowned sporting institutions, which was a big draw for coming here, and I’m doing Sports Performance, a course I really like.”
Click here to find out more about the Student Performance Sport Breakthrough Programme.