UCL Geography student wins karate gold in Sarajevo

On 24 July, Alice Goudie (UCL Geography) won Gold in the -61kg female kumite section at the European University Karate Championships in Sarajevo.

Alice was one of a squad of twenty competitors from Great Britain who flew to Dubrovnik, before embarking on a six hour bus journey across the mountains to compete against students from 23 other countries in the competition. Also in the squad was Rio Smith (UCL Psychology) who progressed to the second round.

Both students were funded by UCL Union Elite, a programme set up to support UCL students with exceptional sporting ability. Alexandria Hingley, Sports and Physical Activity Development Worker at UCL Union, explained: "Alice is a perfect example of how the UCL Union Elite programme can help support UCL students alongside their individual talent and hard work. The programme aims to help support students like Alice and Rio fulfil their sporting potential whilst allowing them to maintain a hectic academic schedule. We support UCL's international athletes by providing funding, sessions with professional sport specialists and a free membership to the Union gym, Bloomsbury Fitness."

After progressing steadily to the final, Alice was drawn against the current World Junior Champion from Slovakia. Alice secured a victory, winning Great Britain their first gold medal of the Championship.

Image: Alice Goudie after receiving her gold medal at the European University Karate Championships

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