Northumbria Sports star shortlisted for top BUCS award

Northumbria Paralympian Taka Suzuki has been shortlisted for the national British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Sportsman of the Year Award.

The Awards look to recognise and celebrate the achievements of BUCS institutions from their student athletes, to their staff and volunteers.

International Sport Management  MA student, Taka, has already experienced a string of successes in the pool this year having won three Gold medals at the BUCS Long Course Championships in February and gaining a World Record for the S4 100m freestyle at the World Para series in Glasgow.

This shortlisting provides Taka with the opportunity to add another title to his growing list this year as he has already been recognised for his ongoing achievements including being shortlisted for the North East Disability Sport personality of the year and being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Northumbria University Sports Ball Awards.

Speaking ahead of the awards Head of Aquatics at Northumbria, Louise Graham, said: “Taka is working extremely hard at the moment and is on target for Tokyo 2020 [Paralympics]. He has already been selected to represent Japan at this year's IPC World Championships in London in September following his success at the World Para series and is currently ranked World Number 1 in 3 events in his category

“Being shortlisted for this award is great recognition of his achievements. Competing in BUCS over the last few years has contributed hugely to his development as a swimmer and has really impacted on the profile of para-swimming. Winning this award would be a fantastic achievement in his University swimming career”

The BUCS Awards Dinner takes place on the evening of Thursday 11 July at the University of the West of England, Bristol.