Over 300 people connected with elite sport from across the county celebrated past, present and future sporting successes at Kent’s Sporting Legends on 2 December.

The University hosted the event at the Canterbury campus  in partnership with Kent County Council to highlight exceptional sporting achievements.

Legends include University sports scholars who have gone on to international honours, Kent sports persons who have represented our country or been part of Team GB, and individuals who have contributed to Kent’s sporting achievements.

Dame Julia Goodfellow, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, commented: ‘This is an opportunity to bring together and celebrate sportsmen and women from across the county who have competed at the highest level. It is particularly appropriate that we should do so in this Olympic and Paralympic year. I am a firm believer in the power of sport.’

Many Kent alumni have gone on to win Olympic medals, compete internationally and succeed in their field. These include Wayne Otto OBE, nine-times World and European Karate Champion; Susannah Townsend, 2016 Olympic Gold medallist in hockey; and Natasha Brennan, World Champion rugby player.

Existing students and staff excelling in sport include Kent student Oliver Mangion, Wheelchair Rugby sports scholar with his sites on the 2020 Paralympic Games; Kent student Jasmine Pomeroy excelling in karate on a national and European level; and Mel Clewlow, Assistant Director of Sport at Kent and double-Olympian.

Graham Holmes, Director of Sport at Kent, said: ‘This event is about bringing together elite sportsmen and women from across the county to celebrate sport at its highest level and inspire up and coming athletes for the future. This event gives an indication of the wealth of talent that flourishes at the University and across the county.’

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www.kent.ac.uk/sports/kentsportinglegends