ACU elite in UniRoos

A message from the Chief Operating Officer Dr Stephen Weller:

Seven of ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program students have represented the UniRoos team at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China.

Showing a strong sporting presence across the greater ACU network, students from exercise and sports science, physiotherapy, and education from five different ACU campuses, have featured as part of the 98-member Australian UniRoos team to take on the world’s best across 11 different sports.

UniRoos is known for being an incubator for emerging athletes, this year’s team has been a melting pot of talent and experience boasting athletes beginning their international careers, Olympic and Commonwealth Games competitors, as well as the 2019 FISU decathlete silver medalist, ACU’s Alec Diamond.

ACU Elite Athlete and Performer Program Coordinator Clare Meulenbroek sees the championships as a significant stepping stone and learning opportunity for young athletes.

“To be able to compete for your country at a world-level event with multiple sports, exposes many of our students to a new level of competition and provides an opportunity to learn the logistics of traveling internationally as a part of a combined sports team,” Ms Meulenbroek said.

“Having athletes who have competed at World Championship, Olympic and Commonwealth Game levels shows the standard of the FISU Summer Games. It’s a fantastic chance for tomorrow’s stars to learn from some of today’s.”

The championships began on Friday 28 July and was contested over 12 days before the closing ceremony was held yesterday, Tuesday 8 August.

ACU competitors

Athletics

Emily Britton, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, North Sydney campus
Alec Diamond, Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, Strathfield campus
William Thompson, Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, Melbourne campus

Artistic gymnastics

Lachlan Smith, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, North Sydney campus

Tae kwon do

Ambrosia Landsberg, Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, Brisbane campus

Water polo

Lucinda Marsh, Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Sport Science, Strathfield campus
Madissyn Powells, Bachelor of Primary Education, Blacktown campus

Results

William Thompson, 20km race walk, 9th (individual), bronze medal (team)
Emily Britton, women’s 100m hurdles, 6th in semi final
Madissyn Powells and Lucinda Marsh, women’s water polo, bronze medal (team)
Alec Diamond, decathlon, bronze medal
Emily Britton, women’s 100m hurdles, qualified second in heat
Lachlan Smith, men’s team artistic gymnastics, 14th overall
Ambrosia Landberg, women’s tae kwon do (46kg), 2-1 loss in round of 32