UQ students set for World University Games
Nine University of Queensland students will represent Australia at theĀ 2019 FISU Summer UniversiadeĀ in Naples, Italy.
The event ā also known as World University Games ā 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 theĀ UniRoosĀ in Archery, Athletics, Gymnastics (Artistic & Rhythmic), and Swimming.
The group includes UQ Sporting Scholarship recipientsĀ Himeka Onoda,Ā Remy LeonardĀ andĀ Samantha Phillips.
Rhythmic gymnast Onoda (UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship) said the event serves as preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
āOur team is working really hard in the lead up to an Olympic year to gain as much competition experience as possible,ā Onoda said.
āIt will be amazing to compete at the Summer Universiade and take in such a big atmosphere.
āIt 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.āLeonard, a UQ Sport AmbassadorĀ Scholarship holder, said the Universiade poses many challenges for competitors.
āThis is my first major multi-sport event, and it will be a lot different to the previous international competitions I have participated in,ā Leonard said.
āIt is difficult to know the standard of competition at an event like this, but I am confident I can challenge for a medal.ā
UQ students competing at the 2019 Summer Universiade
Remy LeonardĀ (Archery, Compound ā Individual & Mixed Team)
Hudson IrwinĀ (Artistic Gymnastics)
Jessie HarperĀ (Athletics, Long Jump)
Shemaiah JamesĀ (Athletics, Triple Jump)
Liam OāBrienĀ (Athletics, Javelin)
Samantha PhillipsĀ (Athletics, Half Marathon)
Tori WestĀ (Athletics, Heptathlon)
Himeka OnodaĀ (Rhythmic Gymnastics, Group)
William Stockwell (Swimming)
William WhiteĀ (Athletics, Javelin)Ā – withdrawn (injury)
