College Graduates and Staff Celebrate Historic Handball Championship Victory

Loughborough College is celebrating the role staff and graduates played in a landmark moment in British handball history, after Great Britain clinched their first-ever International Handball Federation (IHF) Men’s Emerging Nations Championship title.

The triumph marks a significant step forward for the sport in the UK – and a proud achievement for Loughborough College, which plays a key role in developing top talent through England Handball’s Elite Performance Academy (EPA).

Among the standout contributors to the success were Wendell Ludewig-Vieira and Chigozie Uzoezie, both graduates of the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) qualification at Loughborough College, and products of the EPA. Their journey from promising young athletes to international champions highlights the effectiveness of the talent development pathway established at the College.

The impact of the College on the national setup was further reinforced by the presence of João Castro, head coach of the EPA based at Loughborough College. Having supported Wendell and Chigozie at the College, João expressed his pride in seeing them flourish on the international stage: “Wendell and Chigozie’s progression is a testament to the work being done at the Elite Performance Academy and Loughborough College.

“They joined us as talented young players, but their dedication, professionalism, and development at Loughborough have taken them to a whole new level. To see them perform on the world stage and help Great Britain make history is incredibly rewarding.” 

The victory highlights the growing strength of the England Handball EPA, which is based at Loughborough College. The programme has become renowned for not only developing players for international competition, but also producing future stars for both the men’s and women’s national teams.

Danny Lee, Curriculum Manager for Sport at Loughborough College, praised the players and coach for their incredible achievement, sharing: “We are immensely proud of Wendell, Chigozie, and João for their contributions to Great Britain’s historic triumph. 

“Their success is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the Elite Performance Academy, and it highlights the vital role Loughborough College plays in nurturing the next generation of handball stars.”