Corpus MPhil student Allaya Rasul will join a Great British team to compete in the FISU World University Championship Powerlifting competition in Tartu, Estonia from 23-27 July.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) was founded in 1949 with the goal of expanding the role and reach of University sport around the world. They hold competitions internationally for student athletes in different sports. This year for the first time, BUCS is sanctioning a GB Students delegation as National University Sports Federation (NUSF) in association with British Powerlifting to represent the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Allaya is one of two students from Cambridge selected for the team, alongside Chinedum Okolo from King's College.

About Allaya

Allaya came to Corpus to do an MPhil in English Literature after completing her undergraduate degree at Warwick University. A Canadian by birth, she moved to England aged 8, growing up in East London in a family she describes as 'very STEM', with a mathematician mother and a electrical engineer father. But although she liked math, she was always drawn to literature, particularly fantasy fiction and sci fi. Her research focus is on contemporary post-colonial literature, specifically the Indian novel.

She describes her interest in powerlifting as 'fairly casual' until coming to Cambridge and joining the Cambridge University Powerlifting Club. "I really started properly when I joined the club here and got put on a training programme where I learned how to improve my technique. There's a lot to be wary about with lifting weights; I used to hurt my back continuously, but I've learned how to avoid that. Now I'm learning more about body mechanics and different muscle groups, and even diet." Allaya lifted in Varsity competition with Oxford in February, and hopes to earn her Blue at the competition in Estonia (powerlifting Blues are based on a points system). For the next few weeks Allaya will be living at Leckhampton and training with a coach to prepare for the competition before heading to Estonia on 21 July.

In addition to weightlifting, Allaya is also a talented footballer. She plays for the University third team, and was deemed Player of the Match in the recent Corpus Challenge that pitted the students against the staff and Fellows.

In the future, Allaya hopes to pursue a PhD, possibly in the UK or back in Canada or even the United States. We wish her the very best of luck in the competition and with her application for further postgraduate studies.