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Team Newcastle stars sweep athletics and taekwondo championships

9 March 2023

Two Team Newcastle athletes are pushing their performance to the next level with a string of titles and first place finishes.

Joy Eze has won several back-to-back athletics titles, breaking personal and national records, while Ella Sands scooped gold taekwondo medal at the BUCS National Championships.

Joy won the 60m Northern Indoor title in January, setting a new championship record. She followed her success with a win in the English U20 championship with a new personal best - 7:31, which ranks her first in Europe and fifth in the world for U20s.

The Pharmacy undergraduate was also crowned BUCS Indoor champion at the BUCS Indoor Athletics Championship, winning the gold in the 60metres

Joy who is currently ranked 5th in the UK for seniors, said: “I am extremely pleased with the progress I have made this year so far, especially ending my indoor season with a BUCS title in the 60m. I look forward to the outdoor season, with the hope of representing Team GB internationally, as well as improving on my 100m times from last year. I do want to thank my coach, family, and friends for all their continued support!“

Ella, who the gold medal at the BUCS National Championships in Southampton, said: “I’d like to thank the sports staff at the University for supporting me. I'm currently on a year abroad in Barcelona so without their support I wouldn't have been able to fly back and compete, so I really do appreciate the help.”

Newcastle University Sports Performance Manager, Fraser Kennedy, added: “The impressive performances of Joy and Ella demonstrate their hard work and dedication to their sports, as well as the quality of coaching and training they receive from their coaches. We are all very proud of their success.