Nearly 6,000 student athletes from 134 universities and colleges in the United Kingdom were in action between 22 – 24 February 2013 as the inaugural BUCS Gatorade Nationals took place in Sheffield.

 

The BUCS Gatorade Nationals is the pinnacle of the university sporting season for Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Climbing, Fencing, Judo, Karate, Orienteering, Rifle, Swimming, Tenpin Bowling and Trampolining, allowing student athletes the opportunity to earn points for their university which feed into the overarching university points table.  With those points and the title of National Champion at stake the athletes delivered some remarkable performances in the face of fierce competition.

 

A total of 145 National titles were decided across 12 sports with 180 athletes winning gold in individual and/or team championships.  A total of 134 Universities took part with 77 universities winning a medal.  It was Loughborough University who finished top of the medal table with 26 gold’s and 69 medals in total delivering some outstanding performances particularly in the swimming pool and on the athletics track. Edinburgh University placed second with nine gold’s (from 33 medals) ahead of the Sheffield Hallam in third (7 gold medals, 15 in total). The full medal table will be released in the next edition of BUCS Life, so keep an eye on the special Champions edition out on 3rd April 2013.

 

The Nationals saw some of the best sporting individuals and teams in the country compete in Sheffield alongside guest appearances from 2012 Olympians Kerri-Anne Payne, Hannah Miley and Olympic Champion Ruta Meilutyte in the swimming.  Treymayne Gilling (Middlesex) was the fastest person at the BUCS Gatorade Nationals winning gold in the men’s 60m (athletics) in 6.76 seconds while Middlesex can also claim the Nationals fastest woman, Ashleigh Nelson finishing the women’s 60m final in 7.39 seconds. Full details and results, please see www.bucs.org.uk.

 

Karen Rothery, CEO of BUCS, said:

"The BUCS Gatorade Nationals delivered a fantastic experience for 6000 students. There were some remarkable performances from world class athletes supported by an inspiring volunteer network. We are proud to work with the city of Sheffield, Sheffield International Venues and our headline sponsor Gatorade to deliver the largest annual multi-sport event in the UK."