Previous MEng student and now PhD student Amber Keegan has won her first gold medal in the British University and College Sport race for the University of Sheffield.
After defeating a crippling accident she defied all odds to win gold in the Speedo BUCS 1500 metres. Amber will now have the unbelievable opportunity to swim for the Olympic Games trials and European trials in April.
Amber suffered from a torn hamstring and shoulder injury, resulting in her missing out on the Commonwealth Games trials a few years ago. Amber also had the traumatic experience of being hit by a car while cycling to lectures in 2018. However her sheer resilience meant she got back in the pool and starting training.
Reflecting on her recent win, Amber said: “I was neck and neck with Emily Clark from Loughborough for nearly all of the race and there were a few moments where she was passing me and I was passing her.
“We reached 1400m when I had a little bit more left in the tank than she did and I managed to beat her. I felt good but very tired.”
Amber started swimming in her local swimming club when she was only 8 years old. She began competing in national competitions when she was 12.