News

Posted: 14 August 2025

Gold Medalling winning GB Women’s Eight, photo credit: World University Games 

Great Britain won five medals (three gold, one silver, one bronze) and topped the medal table at the FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany last week, with University of St Andrews’ Sophia Issberner part of the Women’s Eight that won gold on Sunday. 

Similar to a GBRT under 23 team, the FISU event is for development teams of under-25’s who are enrolled in or recently graduated from university, and an excellent additional opportunity for young emerging athletes to compete on the international stage. This is the first GB Students team that has been sent to a FISU Championships since 2018 in Shanghai. 

Not only is this Sophia’s first time representing Great Britain, but it is also her first year in the trials process, a great achievement for the 21-year-old third year Biology & Geography student. This also marks a momentous achievement for the University of St Andrews Boat Club, as their first ever athlete to win a medal representing the GB Rowing Team, a testament to the work done by the Saints Sport and UStABC under the leadership of new Director of Rowing, Lewis McCue.

Reflecting on the weekend, Lewis said: “Sophia’s gold medal is a momentous achievement for our rowing programme and a proud day for the University. Her commitment to excellence has been truly inspiring, and this victory reflects the incredible progress we’re making as a club. We couldn’t be prouder of her and the rest of her crew!” 

Sophia and the rest of the Women’s Eight celebrating with their medals, photo credit: Sophia Issberner  

Since starting rowing at the University, Sophia has been well supported by the Saints Sport – Performance Sports Scholarship, more recently she has been supported in her development by the new Winning Students 100 Talent ID Scholarship, grants from SportsAid Scotland and further support and opportunities from the Scottish Rowing Performance Pathway Programmes.

Sophia said “Competing at the FISU World University Games has been an unforgettable experience, and I’m incredibly proud to come away with gold. I’m so grateful for the support from Scottish Rowing, WS100, SportsAid and UStA Performance Sport Scholarship programme — their backing has made this opportunity possible. Representing Great Britain and the University of St Andrews on the international stage has been a real honour and I hope to make a team again next summer.”

The Scottish Rowing Performance Pathway is set up to support talented athletes in Scotland to reach and thrive on the International stage, working with partners across our University Performance Partner Programmes*, the sportscotland institute of sport, Winning Students 100, British Rowing, to name just a few.  

On the podium with the victorious GB Women’s Eight, photo credit: World University Games 

For more information on how the Scottish Rowing Performance Pathway can help athletes reach their potential, and what support is available, please speak to Head of Performance, Tom Young.

*University Performance Partner Programmes: 
University of Edinburgh / Edinburgh University Boat Club 
University of Glasgow / Glasgow University Boat Club 
University of Aberdeen / Robert Gordon University / University Rowing Aberdeen 
University of St Andrews / University of St Andrews Boat Club