ARU student claims Britain's first medal at Games

Published: 19 July 2024 at 11:03

Lucy Williams receives her medal

It’s third time lucky for Lucy after winning bronze at European University Games

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) student and leading British judo star Lucy Williams has celebrated winning Great Britain’s first medal at the European University Games, currently taking place in Hungary.

Over 5,000 students from 400 universities from across Europe are participating in the European University Games, which is being hosted by the Hungarian cities of Debrecen and Miskolc and features 18 different sports.

Lucy is currently ranked No 2 in the country for her weight category and is studying for a Masters in Physiotherapy. Lucy has been a Team ARU athlete for four years, having originally completed a BSc degree in Sport and Exercise Therapy at ARU.

In Hungary, where she was joined in the GB judo team by fellow ARU student and training partner Filipa Banderia Maia, Lucy beat Czech student Marketa Cerchlova to claim bronze.

Lucy said:

“This is the third time I’ve made the Great Britain student team and after two fifth place finishes, I’m absolutely delighted to have finally come home with a medal. It’s also a huge honour to have won Britain’s first medal of the championships.”

Dr Katrina McDonald, a Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching at ARU, was also selected to go to the event in Hungary as the Great Britain judo coach. Dr McDonald said:

“This is one of Lucy’s highest achievements and she fought brilliantly. 

“She put into practice many techniques we have been working on in training and this is why I believe it was her best performance so far, as it was a result of her commitment to her training, and it paid off on the day. Lucy only lost to the current Junior European Champion and had to fight resiliently through the repechage to make it to the bronze medal contest.

“In her bronze medal match, she was up against it, having been given two shidos, but she was resilient and went on to pin her opponent and win the bronze. I am really proud of this medal as it shows the dedication Lucy has shown to her training whilst balancing her studies at ARU.”