Balancing competing and studying: being a Performance Sport Scholar

Arad Ghafoorirad is an International Business student whose talent for judo means he is part of the University’s Performance Sport Scholar programme. Here, he shares how he balances his studies with his sporting commitments and how he’s aiming high.

One of the main reasons I chose Strathclyde was the level of support available to student athletes through the Performance Sport Scholar programme. The University has amazing sports facilities, which was really important to me because of the amount of training I do.

Strathclyde Business School also has a great reputation, so it felt like I could pursue both my academic and sporting ambitions in the same place. I also really like that the University is right in the centre of Glasgow and easily accessible from home, which makes balancing university and training much easier.

I’ve been involved in judo for around 12–13 years. I started when I was seven after first seeing judo at school when I was really young. I thought it looked really cool and it was something I immediately wanted to try. I started training soon after and have stuck with it ever since.

Natural talent

I’ve always had a natural talent for judo and was successful in the sport from a young age, but my focus wasn’t completely on it. Around three years ago, when I was 16, I decided that judo was what I really wanted to pursue and started taking it much more seriously. Since then, I’ve committed myself fully to training and competing at a high level.

A normal training week consists of around four to five judo sessions, three gym sessions and two conditioning sessions, with each session usually lasting around an hour and a half.

I mainly train with JudoScotland at Ratho in Edinburgh. I also still go back to Pro Judo, my childhood and current club, for randori sessions when I can. A lot of the people I grew up training with are still there, so it’s always good to go back and train with them. Every two or three months, I also travel down to the National Training Centre in Walsall for two or three days of intensive training.

When I compete internationally, I represent Great Britain, and at national-level events I represent Scotland.

Judo achievements

Some of my biggest achievements so far include winning gold at BUCS, winning a Pan American Cup gold medal, medalling at the British Championships, winning the Scottish Championships and consistently medalling at competitions across Britain.

Judo has also given me the opportunity to travel regularly, both for competitions and training. Every month or two I’ll often travel somewhere for a training camp or high-level training, which has allowed me to train with different athletes, experience different environments and continually develop my judo.

Studies and support

I try to plan everything around my training and competitions and make sure I keep up to date with my notes and coursework. I always keep an eye on deadlines and set reminders so I know what I have coming up.

If I have to travel for a competition or training, I make sure I catch up on anything I’ve missed when I get back. The staff at Strathclyde have also been really supportive. If I have something coming up that clashes with university, they’re always willing to help and try to find a way around it, which makes balancing both a lot easier.

The University has been really supportive with the demands of judo. For example, Strathclyde helped fund my trip to Albania for the European Combat Games Championships, where I’m hoping to achieve a good result.

They also help make sure my lecturers and tutors are aware when I’m away for training camps or competitions. If I miss anything while I’m away, they support me with catching up on notes and coursework, which takes a lot of pressure off when I’m balancing university with competing.

Strathclyde Performance Sport Scholar

The biggest benefit of being a Strathclyde Performance Sport Scholar is having access to the facilities and support around me as an athlete, particularly things like physio. When you’re training as much as I am, having that support available makes a big difference and helps me stay on top of my training and recovery.

It’s also good knowing that the University understands the demands that come with competing at a high level alongside studying.

Learning lessons

One of the biggest things judo has taught me is patience and to trust the process. You don’t always see results straight away, even when you’re putting the work in.

I think that applies really well to studying too. At the beginning of a semester, I might not understand everything straight away, but if I stay consistent, keep working and give it time, things start to come together.

Judo has also taught me discipline and how to deal with setbacks. You can have a bad competition or lose a fight, but you have to learn from it, move on and keep working towards the bigger goal. I try to have the same mindset with university.

Future goals

After graduation, my main sporting goal is to continue pursuing judo at the highest level. My ultimate ambition is to compete at the Olympic Games and hopefully win European and World medals along the way. I know those are big goals, but they’re what I’m working towards every day.

Alongside judo, I also want to make the most of my International Business degree. In the longer term, once my competitive judo career comes to an end, I’d like to use what I’ve learned at university to start and run my own business. I’m not completely sure yet what area that will be in, but entrepreneurship and building something of my own definitely interests me.

About Arad Ghafoorirad

Arad Ghafoorirad is an International Business student at the University of Strathclyde and a Strathclyde Performance Sport Scholar. He is a competitive judoka who represents Great Britain internationally and Scotland nationally, with ambitions to compete at the Olympic Games and win medals at European and World level.