On day four of the 2025 edition of the FISU World University Games Summer, GB Students made history by winning thier first ever para medal.
The 2025 edition of the games is the first time 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball has been part of the games. The team was full of university wheelchair talent with Alex Marshall-Wilson (Loughborough University), William Bishop (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Shayne Humphries (University of Stirling) and James Hazell (University of Nottingham).
Over in Bochum the action came thick and fast with the first two games of the tournament coming on the same day. First up was Bulgaria who GB dispatched off in style taking the win 19:3 with Alex coming out top point scorer with 9. The second game saw the team play eventual gold medallist Spain where the team fell short with the final buzzer going with a 9:16 loss.
Day two of the games saw the team come up against games hosts Germany in a tightly fought contest with the win coming by a one point margin 8:7. The third game of the tournament saw the pool games rounded off and a quarter final against Brazil set up. A high scoring game full of energy saw the boys drain shot after shot, winning 18:10 with Alex securing 13 of the points and securing a semi final game.
Semi finals morning saw GB first up on the court against USA which started off a cagey affair with a very low scoring start to the game. GB ultimately came out on top with the game ending 3:7 setting up a final against favourites Spain.
A same day final saw GB have an afternoon break before taking to the court again. A rowdy crowd full of support from GB made the arena lively as the teams were introduced onto court. Spain took the lead early and looked to be in control but a spurred come back from GB made for an interesting battle and end to the game. With momentum and crowd behind them GB looked to be closing the score line but ultimately the buzzer sounded at 8:11 crowing Spain champions and securing the sliver medal.
Captain Will Bishop spoke after the game saying “I think we can leave with our head’s held high, they are some world class players out there, we’re just a bunch of students from the UK.”
“Thank you to everyone at home, once again I think we can be really proud. The boys out there rallied really nicely, happy to come away with a silver medal”
“To be the first para sport and showcase how good wheelchair basketball 3x3 can be is a huge honour and to come out with a medal we are so pleased but well done to Spain”
Congratulations to the team on making history in Germany.
