For Black History Month, we spoke to some of our Black athletes on their experiences of sport at UCL...
Seyi Ajibola
UCL Jitsu Club, former Treasurer 24/25
How has sport defined your time at UCL?
Sport has given me something to look forward to beyond lectures. I’ve always been heavily involved in sport, and I’m grateful that UCL provided a platform to continue that passion while picking up something new. It’s made my time here more enjoyable. There’s more to uni than lectures.
What is your greatest sporting achievement at UCL?
Winning gold at BUCS— the achievement speaks for itself.
What has been your proudest/favourite moment with TeamUCL?
Representing TeamUCL at the national competitions and at gradings was a proud moment. But just as meaningful has been helping transform the Jitsu Club culture alongside the president and welfare officer, we worked to make the club more inclusive and welcoming, especially for women. We were able to overwhelmingly increase female participation and turn them into warriors basically.
Why should students get involved with sport at UCL?
It’s good to be able to say you attended university and it’s even better to say you made an impact. It helps a lot with the social life here at UCL — it's great to be able to bond with people over sports it connects you with people, builds lasting friendships, and opens unexpected opportunities. If you want to make the most of your time here so you can look back with no regrets, it’s a no-brainer.
What do you think sports clubs could be doing to increase inclusivity at UCL?
Definitely make it more beginner friendly, a lot of people come to uni thinking they need to be a semi-professional at a sport before they start. Once you help them overcome that mental barrier, you’ll be surprised to see how much curiosity with a bit of dedication can do.
One of the sub-themes for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Icons of Influence’. Are there any friends, teammates or athletes that you consider an icon?
My Senseis—inspirational on and off the mat.