One of the biggest sporting events of the University calendar

The annual ‘BUCS Nationals’ took place from 13-15 February 2026, with athletes from six sports descending on Sheffield to compete in this year’s event. 

Students from The University of Manchester Athletics, Badminton, Climbing, Fencing, Karate, and Swimming Clubs, along with seven of our sports scholarship athletes, took part. 

In total 78 athletes competed, representing The University of Manchester with pride across the weekend. 

Sports Scholar Leah Schlosshan returns to Manchester with three medals to her name, absolutely dominating in the pool. 

Sports Scholar Highlights

Swimming 

Leah Schlosshan stole the show, securing one gold and two silver medals in the female 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 200m Individual Medley (IM), respectively. Leah bettered her 24/25 Nationals medal tally, where she won one bronze in the 200m IM and one silver in the 200m freestyle.

Sophie Shaw placed 5th in the female 100m backstroke, just 1.06 seconds behind the bronze medal position. Sophie also placed 6th in the 200m backstroke and 14th in the 50m backstroke. 

Anna Healey finished 16th in the female 50m breaststroke and 21st in the 100m breaststroke.

Leah, Anna, and Sophie were part of the Female 400m Medley team that finished 1st in the B final, along with Abigail Parkinson. Leah and Sophie were also part of the Female 400m Freestyle team, which finished 1st in the B final, along with Amy West and Abigail Parkinson.

Lachlan Beazley finished 15th in the Open/Male 200m IM and 11th in the 400m IM. Lachlan was part of the Open/Male 400m Freestyle team that placed 2nd in the B final and part of the Open/Male 400m Medley team that placed 9th in the B final, alongside Lenny Page, Christos Manoli, and David Sanchez.

Fencing 

Harrier Hillier tied for 5th place in the senior women’s epee, winning six out of six group matches before being knocked out in the round of eight, losing 15-14 to the eventual bronze medal winner. 

Imogen Bulman placed 18th overall, also competing in the senior women’s epee. Imogen won four out of five group matches before being narrowly defeated 15-14 in the round of 32. 

Athletics 

Shot Putter Caden Uzoigwe threw 13.23m in the qualifiers, earning a 5th place in group A. In the final, Caden threw a PB of 13.29m, securing an overall 8th place finish.  

The University of Manchester was represented in all sports at BUCS Nationals, with 78 students taking part in the event this year. The breakdown for each club is as follows:  

• Athletics – 15 students 
• Badminton – 18 students  
• Climbing – 6 students  
• Fencing – 12 students 
• Karate – 8 students  
• Swimming – 19 students  

Congratulations to all who took part and did The University of Manchester proud!