This programme aims to offer support to LSE elite athletes competing nationally or internationally in their chosen sport, to build a network of elite sporting athletes and celebrate the sporting achievements of LSE students.

Sport Performance Programme

This programme aims to offer support to LSE elite athletes competing nationally or internationally in their chosen sport, to build a network of elite sporting athletes and celebrate the sporting achievements of LSE students.

At LSESU we want to celebrate the incredible sporting achievements of LSE students. So, we are relaunching the Sport Performance Programme for 22/23 to offer support and assist talented sports people at LSE in balancing their sporting and academic commitments.

SPORTS PERFORMANCE ATHLETES 22/23

 

Alisha Rees

Athletics (Sprinter) 

MSc Inequalities and Social Science

My names Alisha Rees from Aberdeen, Scotland and I am a postgraduate student at the LSE studying Inequalities and Social Science. I am also a 100m and 200m sprinter and I am currently the Scottish Record holder for the 60m and 100m. I recently went to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where I made the semi-final of the 100m and final of the 4x100m. Looking forward, my aims for the next few years are to make the World Championships in 2023 and the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Alessio Surenkov-Gultchev

Figure skater 

Accounting and Finance

I started skating age 10 in late 2013 in Guildford, and first competed in 2016 in both free skating and ice dance. The following season, at thirteen, I competed in my first British Solo Ice Dance Championships and became the 2017 Juvenile Men Champion. That same year, I also started couples ice dance and in our very first British Championships together, my partner (Vasilisa Ahramenka) and I placed 2nd. That season, we also placed 1st in our first international competition in Copenhagen, Denmark, in April 2018. Within the next couple of years, through high levels of performance in numerous national/international events in different disciplines, I qualified for the Great Britain Development Squad, and later for the UK Junior Talent Potential Squad. Since then, despite a year affected by injuries and another year and a half marred by Covid (with ice rinks being closed), I have managed to attend several high-level international competitions as well as become a now four-time British Solo Ice Dance champion. Since moving into the Junior category, I’ve represented Great Britain at international ISU competitions on 4 occasions and also attended a Junior Grand Prix in Courchevel, France in 2021. This year, in June 2022, I changed partners. With my new partner Molly Hairsine, in August, we competed in the Britannia Cup, our first competition, as well as an ISU international competition, and placed 3rd. Most recently, we also came 1st at a qualifier for the British Ice Dance Championships. I hope that this is only the beginning for me, and that with my new ice dance partner Molly, we will be able to continue to represent Team GB and place highly at international events, and ultimately qualify for the Junior Worlds next or the following season.

Arav Shetty

cricket

Economic History and Geography

I am a top-order batsman and off-spin bowler who has represented Lancashire throughout age group cricket since the age of 8. I have captained Lancs at U14, U15 and U18 level, and recently completed my time on the club’s academy. I made my debut for Lancashire 2nd XI in 2021; this is the team I currently represent. I have also represented North of England at U17 level, as well as a Young Lion’s Invitational XI vs Sri Lanka u19s. One of the highlights of my career so far was playing at Lords for MCC Schools vs ESCA and scoring 64*(67) to win the game.

Delia Baudena

hockey

History and Politics

Hello,My name is Delia, and I am a 19-year-old History and Politics student, and field hockey player at the LSE. I started hockey at the age of 8, in my local club the Saint Germain Hockey Club (SGHC), and have been in love with the sport ever since. Over the years the SGHC and I have been crowned French national champions in the u14, u16 and u19 category and were fortunate enough to participate in a European inter-club trophy at the senior level. Alongside the club, I was scouted for the French u16 national team at the age of 14 and have been playing for the junior French teams ever since. During summer 2021, with the u19 French team and as their captain, we disputed the European u19 Cup II in Zurich which we won. More recently, with the u21 team and still as the captain we disputed the u21 European Cup II in Vienna and came second, potentially securing us a spot at the 2023 u21 World Cup that will be held in Chili in April. My overall ambition is to play at the 2024 Olympics, on our home turf, in Paris and till then I will continue to work hard, to turn this dream into reality.

ellie chambers 

netball

Economics

I have been playing netball since I was 10 years old and quickly progressed through county and regional level before joining Leeds Rhinos’ Academy. When I came to university, I began playing in the England Premier League and joined London Pulse U21s. We are 2022 National Champions, after defending our previous 2021 title, and will be looking to make it three years running in the upcoming season. I am a qualified coach and umpire and I’m the Netball Professional of Alleyn’s School in South London. I also coach camps and academies at Pulse (and occasionally the LSE team) and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to pass on everything I’ve learnt to the next generation of netballers!

Gauri Duhan

table tennis

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Hi, I’m Gauri, a 3rd year PPE student. I’ve been playing table tennis competitively since the age of 11; during this time I’ve won multiple national titles, ranked no.1 in England for my age group, and represented England domestically and abroad. I’ve always looked forward to playing table tennis at university and this year I’m captaining LSE's very strong Women’s team. I’m also a qualified coach, so happy to help anyone interested in the sport! 

Kai Wolgram

sailing

Finance

Kai started sailing at the age of 7 and has since won numerous national and international titles. Today, Kai sails an ILCA 7 for Great Britain as part of the Olympic Pathway Transition Squad, of which he is the youngest member. He hopes to one day compete for the United Kingdom at the 2028 or 2032 Olympics in Los Angeles or Brisbane respectively.

Robin James Das

Cricket

History

I’m Robin, a second year History student at LSE and I am also a professional cricketer for Essex County Cricket Club. I have just completed my second full-year as a professional at Essex and managed to have somewhat of a breakthrough year, breaking into the 50-over and T20 sides. Highlights of the year including representing England as a 12th man in a Test match at Lords vs New Zealand, and also recording a maiden List A half-century. I have represented South East England through all age groups.

Tiger Kailun Tang

equestrian

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Achievements:

Tiger K. Tang, Captain of the Chinese Youth Equestrian Team and a member of the Zhejiang Provincial Equestrian Team; National Athlete, National First Level Athlete, Grand Prix level show jumper, having participated in national team training numerous times in preparation for Paris/LA Olympics.
Records since 2017: In China

2017 - Zhejiang Province Showjumping Championships, Silver Medal in 110CM.
2018 - Zhejiang Provincial Games, Gold Medal in individual Dressage for Ningbo.
2019 - All China Showjumping Championships, Gold Medal in 125CM Class.
2019 - China National Youth Games, Gold Medal in both Team and Individual Eventing; Silver Medal in Team Dressage & 6th place in individually for Zhejiang Province.
2020 - China Equestrian Youth Talents Program (U25) - Gold Medal in both 120/130CM.
2021 – 14th National Games, Team Bronze, individually placed.
In Europe
2017 – Hickstead, 1* Class, placed.
2018 – NSEA Championships (Addington Manor) - Team Gold
2019 - CSI De Peelbergen (Holland), October Tour Week 1, placed in the 1.20m class.
2020 - Jumping Torhout (Belgium), 2nd in the 1.20m class.
Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (Spain, Oliva/Valencia), Spring MET 2020, Tour II
- CSIY Bronze 2 - Sp2ph - 1.30m, 8th place.
- CSI* Bronze 3 - FT - 1.40m, 6th place.

Oluwatunmise Salu

basketball

Economic History

My name is Tunmise, I play basketball for Barking Abbey's women's division 1 team. I have played for the national teams, but my next goal is to be playing for the WBBL. I have played in Denmark for the England team and Ireland for the under 18 GB team.

What benefits do Sports Performance athletes receive?

  • Free Gym Membership and access to our brand-new Strength and Conditioning Suite. 

  • Network of other elite athletes to connect with. 

  • Sporting Profile on LSESU website and social media promotion. 

  • Personalised Training Programme designed by our qualified Gym Supervisor. 

  • Academic Support. 

  • Grant application support for Student Union Funding. 

  • Employability and Career support.

  • Please note: Applications for 22/23 Programme have now closed.