The 2024 BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Judo Championships took place at the University of Wolverhampton on the weekend of the 17th and 18th February. With hugely successful performances in the 2023 championships, the University of Nottingham went into the weekend hoping to replicate these achievements and deliver another weekend of high level performances.
Our men's team, reigning champions from the previous year, returned with the intention of defending their title. After secureing victories in five matches against Bath (B), Hertfordshire, Cambridge, Durham, and Glasgow, the team made their way to another final - this time facing off against Bath's A team. However, despite their very best efforts, the Nottingham team of Yousef Alyaqoub (-66kg), Dylan Kirk (-73kg), George Davies (-81kg), Rowan Bowers (-90kg), and Tom Butterworth (+90kg), fell just short of reclaiming the championship this time around, settling for a very well deserved silver medal.
Alongside our team success, there were also plenty of very impressive individual performances from University of Nottingham judoka across the weekend, resulting in ten medals being secured! There were individual medals in first kyu and above category (black belts) for Amy Platten (silver in the -48kg), Rowan Bowers (bronze in the -90kg), and Tom Butterworth (bronze in the -90kg). We would like to congratulate all of our judo athletes and everyone involved in these brilliant performances.
Reflecting on the #GreenandGold's performances at the championships, University of Nottingham Judo Head Coach Anna Maria Carbone reflected by saying “I take great pride in the consistent success we’ve achieved during my coaching here at Nottingham over the past 3 years. Every year our judokas proudly represent the University through our athletic performances, standing on the podium with honour. Despite our player’s varying abilities, they continuously dedicate themselves to rigorous training and outstanding sportsmanship. This past weekend, both our male and female teams showed incredible determination and spirit, as well as those competing in the individual event. This achievement reflects not only on the players, but also on the cohesive efforts of the coaching staff; We consistently work together, aiming to share our passion and expertise with our players. The results at BUCS stand as proof of our combined commitment and efforts.”
Following a hard-fought competition at BUCS, the team will take a well-deserved rest to recharge both mentally and physically. Once refreshed, the University of Nottingham Judo Club will embark on our journey towards next year’s BUCS Championships with even more determination! In addition, we are committed to supporting Amy Platten - a UoN Sport Scholar - in her training for the European Universities Championships in Hungary. Amy Platten's impressive silver medal win at BUCS has earned her a prestigious spot in this international event. The Judo club and UoN Sport will provide her with the resources she needs to ensure she is fully prepared to represent our University.
You can find all the results from the 2024 BUCS Judo Championships here. You can also keep up to date with the University of Nottingham Judo Club's progress by following them on social media here.
You can find out more about sport scholarships at the University of Nottingham here.
Posted on Friday 1st March 2024