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.
