The power of sport whilst studying for a Cambridge degree

First-year Girton undergraduate, Amelie Charlton (Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic), shows how pursuing sport and having academic ambition can coincide at Cambridge, enriching the overall student experience and helping individuals reach their full potential. Taking the time away from studying, whether it's through a sport or other activity, can offer a welcome break from academic pressures and help to restore balance. From maintaining our extensive on-site sports facilities, to providing funding for sports equipment and kit, Girton is committed to supporting our students ambition to pursue sport at any level. 

We asked Amelie why sport plays such an important role in balancing their academic life and helping them build a strong sense of community. Amelie also shared insights into the BUCS event itself and offered an explanation of how karate works.

"I believe it’s important to have activities outside of my degree to truly enjoy and explore my time at Cambridge. Having CUKC (Cambridge University Karate Club) is so important to me because it offers a break from my degree, and a chance to do something I love. Karate has taught me discipline and self-care as it is founded in respect and looking after yourself through patience and working on yourself. It is a lot of fun as you build your skill and work through the belts. I find it particularly special at Cambridge because I have found a great community in the club and lovely friends from a variety of years, sharing their experiences and helping each other, whilst also having a fun time with social events, such as brunch, or just the lessons themselves. A work-life balance is so important at Cambridge, and I am fortunate enough to have found that in karate."

About BUCS

BUCS stands for British Universities and Colleges Sport. It is the governing body for national events for many academic institutions, including many sports. Karate is split into two disciplines: kata and kumite. Kata (held on the first day) is a structured, choreographed sequence of martial art movements to develop muscle memory, form, and technique, for the purpose of self-defence, as well as competitions. The way kata works in competition, is having two competitors perform a kata side by side in front of five judges that surround the competition mat. They choose who performed with the best technique and form as to who will go forward through the rounds. Kumite (held on the second day) is the sparring component where two people engage in controlled, live combat and is the discipline I medalled in. The way kumite works in competition is having Aka (red) and Ao (blue) fight each other. You can score a Yuko (one point, for any straight punch or strike to the head or torso), Waza-ari (two points, for kicks to the torso), and Ippon (three points, for kicks to the head or any technique on a thrown or fallen opponent) when sparring. These points are awarded when the techniques demonstrated are controlled and on target (head or torso). The techniques allowed in kumite are kicks, punches and throws. BUCS follows the World Karate Federation rules, and therefore you must have an 8-point lead to have a definitive win over your opponent. There are four corner referees and a central referee who actively score the match with flags for the three-minute duration, signifying the number of points each strike scores. Two flags must signify a point scored for it count, one is not enough.

"I had an incredible BUCS weekend at Pond Forge in Sheffield; it was an amazing experience that will forever be in my memoires of my time at Cambridge. I am very grateful for the existence of CUKC and all it has given me. To come away with a medal from BUCS was not something had anticipated, and I am over the moon that it did."

Our congratulations go to Amelie on placing 3rd in Novice Kumite Karate at BUCS 2026!

Photograph credit: BUCS - Kane Smith and Reece Ashby