BUCS (British Universities and College Sport) is a program that offers competitive sporting opportunities to college and university students. The 2025 BUCS Judo Championships took place in Walsall, West Midlands, over the weekend. Hundreds of student-athletes competed in the event, all hoping for a spot on the podium.
This year, for the first time, novices were allowed to compete alongside Dan and Kyu grades. I spoke with some of these athletes after their fights to discuss their university education, judo, and personal lives. The peaks and troughs of martial arts are an endless cycle, but these stories demonstrate how important BUCS competitions can be in a fighter’s journey.
How to ACTUALLY Balance School & Sports
Amy Platten – University of Nottingham
Amy Platten is a U52kg scholar studying Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham. She has had a strong competitive streak in BUCS events in recent years. She won gold in 2022, silver in 2024, and was named BUCS champion once more in this year’s competition.
Amy faced numerous tough opponents on her way to the top of the podium, demonstrating her skills using both tachi-waza (standing techniques) and ne-waza (ground techniques). When asked about her biggest takeaway from the event, she highlighted how BUCS successfully champions education alongside sport. She emphasized that this was her “biggest thing,” as it created a sense of community where everyone was also studying.
Amy’s martial arts career includes a Commonwealth medal, a bronze at the U23 championships, and numerous national medals. She mentioned that winning BUCS was a major personal triumph because, as she put it, “I wanted to prove I was worthy of a sports scholarship.” This success earned her a spot on Great Britain’s Judo program, which she regarded as one of her proudest accomplishments.
Difficulties Along the Way
However, Amy was not shy about disclosing the challenges she faced while balancing her education with her sporting goals. Despite achieving a first-class degree in her undergraduate studies and earning her Commonwealth medal in the same summer, she admitted that maintaining this balance was tough.
After finishing her undergraduate degree, she briefly pursued judo full-time. However, without the structure of education, she felt directionless and lost her passion for the sport. It was only when she returned to university for her master’s degree that she felt grounded again.
Amy overcame these struggles by creating a network of support she could rely on.
“Family was the most important thing for me… as well as organisation. Even when I had breakdowns, my family support network and university team helped me have the energy to deal with issues… I wasn’t alone.”
When asked if she would change anything about her judo or university journey, Amy said:
“A large part of me thinks I wouldn’t change anything because the hardships helped me.”
Through this journey, Amy has rediscovered her identity, where judo and university are no longer her sole defining traits.
“I have learned now that I am Amy, and I just happen to do judo… This last year has been focused on me and what I want to do in the future.”
A Bright Future
Amy’s performance this weekend is a testament to her hard work and dedication to both her university education and her judo career. She will graduate this summer with a master’s degree and the title of BUCS champion.
Harry Austin – University of Birmingham
Harry Austin is a U73kg fighter from the University of Birmingham, pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering. This year, he achieved his best BUCS result to date, winning a silver medal in the Kyu division.
Harry expressed how special it was to have his friends and family watch him compete, allowing them to see the effort he puts into his sport and training.
“Overall, it is character building… It’s having the courage to compete and see it as a learning experience that will improve your judo.”
Harry’s Judo Journey
Harry used university as a platform to develop his judo skills further, with BUCS competitions playing an integral role in his journey. Reflecting on his time at Birmingham, he shared:
“Starting off as a member of the judo club at a lower level, then moving up to become both the club president and compete at higher-level competitions, has been a great journey for me.”
As president of his university’s judo club, Harry works tirelessly to set an example for lower grades, demonstrating what is possible with hard work and dedication. For him, competitions are a chance to directly display this dedication to his peers, inspiring them to aim for future BUCS championships.
Education and the Future
Throughout this time, Harry managed to balance his studies and judo commitments, earning an A+ in engineering while leading his club as president. His biggest challenges included juggling his placement, managing his social life, and adjusting his judo training schedule.
When asked if he would change anything about his university or judo experience, Harry said:
“I wished I trained at different places more and exposed myself to higher levels of judo at an earlier time to see how much better at judo I could be.”
Harry will graduate next summer and plans to pursue a career in engineering, while continuing his judo journey. His aim is to upgrade his silver medal to gold at next year’s BUCS championships.
Conclusions
Amy Platten and Harry Austin are stellar examples of student athletes committed to both higher education and sport. Their journeys demonstrate that success is not always linear but is possible with resilience, dedication, and a strong support system.
The BUCS championships play a vital role in providing dual student athletes with a platform to pursue excellence in both academia and sport. Their stories are a powerful reminder that, with commitment, it is possible to thrive in both fields.
