Double fencing success for Downing students
Two Downing students achieved podium finishes in fencing at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Nationals.
Ben MacLennan (Natural Sciences 2023) and Rudi Bruijn-Yard (Veterinary Medicine 2021) battled their way through a field of 124 competitors to take silver and bronze positions in the Men’s Epee Competition.
The Downing duo faced each other in the semi-final, with Ben going on to fight a tightly contested final, which finished 15-14.
The pair are experienced fencers, having both represented Great Britain.
Ben said: “It was fantastic to share the podium with a fellow teammate and Downing member. No other university finished with more than one fencer in the quarter-finals, so finishing on the podium with Rudi felt very special.”
Rudi said: “Today demonstrated the culmination of a significant amount of work for both Ben and I, who continue to juggle our studies alongside competing together in Fencing and shortly Modern Pentathlon, as well as managing the Cambridge University Fencing Club and playing in the newly formed band Cash Only, which was recently awarded a place on the APPS performance scheme.
“We're very proud to see all that hard work pay off and to represent Downing College at the height of national University competition.”
Find out more about Ben and Rudi's sporting achievements
Published 25 February 2026