BBC News, West of England
Getty ImagesA student who swapped her graduation for the World Aquatics Championships went away with a bronze medal.
Izzy Thorpe, 24, won bronze in the free mixed duet category at the international competition in Singapore with her swimming partner Ranjuo Tomblin on 25 July.
On the same day, the graduation ceremony for her sports rehabilitation degree from University of the West of England (UWE) took place almost 7,000 miles away at the Bristol Beacon.
Ms Thorpe thanked her lecturers for their “great support” while she studied alongside her training, which she said was “basically like a full-time job”.
“They were always very understanding and helped me where they could,” she said. “Luckily UWE was very supportive.”
“I’ve learnt a lot studying at UWE not only with my degree but in other aspects of life as well,” she added.
“One of the main things for me is I’ve learnt how important a good balance is, to make sure I’m achieving the most I can while also ensuring my happiness and wellbeing is a priority.”
This was the sixth senior World Championships that Ms Thorpe has attended and the first time she competed in the free mixed duet.
It follows her win at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she secured Team GB’s first-ever Olympic medal in the sport alongside her competing partner Kate Shortman, winning a silver medal.
Ms Thorpe said: “I’m honoured to have been selected to represent my country on the world stage again and particularly in the same year as completing my degree.”
The swimmer’s course cohort are some of the almost 6,000 students who accepted their UWE Bristol degrees during a fortnight of ceremonies from 21-31 July.
Ms Thorpe now has her sights set on competing at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
She added: “It’s reassuring knowing that if anything impacts my swimming career, I now have my degree as well.”
