Ten University of Queensland students will represent Australia at the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy.
The event – also known as World University Games – is second only to the Summer Olympics Games for number of participants.
More than 5,900 student-athletes from 112 nations will compete at the Universiade from 3-14 July.
UQ students will represent the UniRoos in Archery, Athletics, Gymnastics (Artistic & Rhythmic), and Swimming.
The group includes UQ Sporting Scholarship recipients Himeka Onoda, Remy Leonard and Samantha Phillips.
Rhythmic gymnast Onoda (UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship) said the event serves as preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
“Our team is working really hard in the lead up to an Olympic year to gain as much competition experience as possible,” Onoda said.
“It will be amazing to compete at the Summer Universiade and take in such a big atmosphere.
“It is the first time Australia has ever sent a rhythmic gymnastics senior group to this event, so it is very exciting to be a part of history.”
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Leonard, a UQ Sport Ambassador Scholarship holder, said the Universiade poses many challenges for competitors.
“This is my first major multi-sport event, and it will be a lot different to the previous international competitions I have participated in,” Leonard said.
“It is difficult to know the standard of competition at an event like this, but I am confident I can challenge for a medal.”
UQ students competing at the 2019 Summer Universiade
Remy Leonard (Archery, Compound – Individual & Mixed Team)
Hudson Irwin (Artistic Gymnastics)
Jessie Harper (Athletics, Long Jump)
Shemaiah James (Athletics, Triple Jump)
Liam O’Brien (Athletics, Javelin)
Samantha Phillips (Athletics, Half Marathon)
Tori West (Athletics, Heptathlon)
William White (Athletics, Javelin)
Himeka Onoda (Rhythmic Gymnastics, Group)
Image above left: Himeka Onoda on the far right. Credit: Winkipop Media.
Media: Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.
