Ten University of Queensland students will represent Australia at the in Naples, Italy.
The event – also known as World University Games – 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.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students will represent the in Archery, Athletics, Gymnastics (Artistic & Rhythmic), and Swimming.
The group includes ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Sporting Scholarship recipients , and .
Rhythmic gymnast Onoda (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Sports Achievement Scholarship) said the event serves as preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
“Our team is working really hard in the lead up to an Olympic year to gain as much competition experience as possible,” Onoda said.
“It will be amazing to compete at the Summer Universiade and take in such a big atmosphere.
“It 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.”
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Leonard, a ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Sport Ambassador Scholarship holder, said the Universiade poses many challenges for competitors.
“This is my first major multi-sport event, and it will be a lot different to the previous international competitions I have participated in,” Leonard said.
“It is difficult to know the standard of competition at an event like this, but I am confident I can challenge for a medal.”
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students competing at the 2019 Summer Universiade
(Archery, Compound – Individual & Mixed Team)
(Artistic Gymnastics)
(Athletics, Long Jump)
(Athletics, Triple Jump)
(Athletics, Javelin)
(Athletics, Half Marathon)
(Athletics, Heptathlon)
(Athletics, Javelin)
(Rhythmic Gymnastics, Group)
Image above left: Himeka Onoda on the far right. Credit: Winkipop Media.
Media: Jamie Mitchell, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.
