Rio 2016: Student Joe Choong firmly in contention after fantastic first Olympic modern pentathlon appearance

University of Bath student Joe Choong enjoyed a strong start to his Olympic debut as the fencing ranking rounds got the Rio 2016 modern pentathlon competitions under way on Thursday. Choong, who studies Mathematics and is supported by an Ivor Powell Sports Scholarship, secured 22 victories from his 35 bouts in the Deodoro Youth Arena. That was the fourth-highest number of hits but an unfortunate late red card cost him a ten-point penalty and dropped...

19 August 2016

Team Bath MCTA’s Megan Davies serves up double success at National Juniors

There was double delight for Megan Davies as Team Bath MCTA Tennis players enjoyed yet another successful year at the National Junior Tennis Championships in Nottingham. Davies, supported by coaches Melanie South and Jim Edgar, dominated the U18 Girls’ Singles competition, sweeping through the draw before beating Scotland’s Alex Hunter 6-1 6-4 in the final. She then teamed up with Hunter to win the U18 Girls’ Doubles title, beating Team Bath MCTA’s Camille Verden-Anderson and...

19 August 2016

Japanese delegates seek 2019 Rugby World Cup hosting advice from University of Bath

A delegation of Japanese experts, led by mayor of Beppu Yasuhiro Nagano, are visiting the Sports Training Village for advice ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Twelve delegates were given a tour of the University of Bath's sports facilities and presentations held ahead of a two-day visit during which they will learn the intricacies of hosting international rugby teams at the facility - Australia trained at the STV during last year's World Cup...

18 August 2016

Competing at an Olympic Games: Nutrition

Nutrition's critical relationship with athlete performance has heightened in focus over the past decade and at major events such as Rio 2016, its role in athlete preparation is demonstrated on the world stage. Athletes such as modern pentathlete Joe Choong, who begins his Olympic Games on Thursday (August 18), bases his training regime around a dedicated and tailored diet - something he believes can't be overstated in importance when competing at the top level. "I believe nutrition is...

18 August 2016

Rio 2016: Jazmin Sawyers is leading British long jumper on her Olympic debut

University of Bath-based athlete Jazmin Sawyers was the highest-placed Brit in the Rio 2016 women’s long jump final in the early hours of Thursday morning. The 22-year-old cleared 6.69m to finish eighth overall on her Olympic debut – a result that Sawyers, who has jumped 6.86m this season, described as “good but not great”. “When you say it like that – ‘eighth in my first Olympic final’ – it’s good but I jumped 6.69 and...

18 August 2016

Rio 2016: Olympic champ Stephanie Cook backs pentathletes to shine at Rio 2016

She was the first-ever athlete to win an Olympic gold medal while training at the University of Bath and remains an inspiration to all at the Sports Training Village. Now Dr Stephanie Cook is confident of seeing more medallists follow in her celebrated footsteps when the modern pentathlon competitions take place over the next 48 hours. Cook and training partner Kate Allenby won gold and bronze respectively in the first-ever Olympic women’s modern pentathlon event...

18 August 2016

Rio 2016: Doyle and Sawyers through to Olympic finals but Pozzi misses out

Jazmin Sawyers and Eilidh Doyle will contest their first Olympic finals on Thursday and Friday respectively after coming through their semi-finals in the early hours of Wednesday morning. However, it was a disappointing night for fellow University of Bath-based athlete Andrew Pozzi (pictured) and Business Masters graduate Lawrence Clarke as both failed to qualify for the men’s 110m hurdles final. Sawyers, making her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, cleared 6.53m with her last jump to...

17 August 2016

Students to gain more international rugby education as England Women U20s face Canada

University of Bath students Sydney Gregson and Lottie Holland will gain more international rugby experience this week as they represent England Women U20 in a three-game series against Canada. Gregson – a Trendell Sports Scholar and Ambassador for Team Bath’s partners, MJ Church – and Holland met their 24 fellow squad members last weekend for a two-week training camp at Nottingham Trent College. As part of that, they will take on Canada’s age-group team on...

17 August 2016

Rio 2016: Jazmin Sawyers feels right at home on biggest stage ahead of Olympic debut

No matter what happens on her Olympic debut tonight, one thing is for sure – Jazmin Sawyers will have a huge smile on her face. The bubbly University of Bath-based long jumper says she thrives on the pressure of competing on the biggest stages, as borne out by her silver medals from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and this year’s European Championships. She also won her first-ever British Championships gold medal this summer to secure...

16 August 2016

Rio 2016: Andrew Pozzi and Eilidh Doyle safely clear first hurdle at Olympic Games

University of Bath-based hurdlers Andrew Pozzi and Eilidh Doyle have both safely progressed through to the semi-finals of their respective competitions at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Despite torrential rain which delayed their heats, Pozzi was able to come runner-up in his 110m hurdles race while Doyle was a confident winner of her 400m hurdles opener. Both are coached at the Sports Training Village by Malcolm Arnold, who is working with athletes at a 13th...

16 August 2016