Below are profiles of just some of our alumni.
Zakariya Mahamed
Course: BSc (Hons) Sport Management
Graduated: 2025
Zak has been involved in athletics for the past eight years and since 2022 has competed at the highest level representing Great Britain. He has proudly worn the GB vest on eight occasions across both cross country and track events. Now signed with Nike as a professional athlete, Zak has recently graduated and is fully focused on pursuing his athletics career full-time.
Major accolades
- 2025: European Cross Country Team Bronze
- 2025: Barcelona Half Marathon (1:01:43 PB)
- 2025: 10K Valencia Ibercaja – Spain
- 2025: Cork City Games – 3000m (7.54PB), 5000m (13:24) and 10,000m track (27:46PB)
- 2023: Great South Run Race Winner (46:41)
“Solent University has provided fantastic support throughout my time, including the strength and conditioning, dual career and lifestyle and sport therapy support. The academic team have been really supportive with my studies, and the Sport Excellence Programme has supported me when I have had to go away for different periods of time with training and competitions, communication with academic teams and with financial support”
Mahamed Mahamed
Courses: BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Development, MSc International Shipping and Logistics, and Solent international language programme
Graduated: 2020 (BA (Hons)) and 2023 (MSc)
Mahamed began running in 2012, inspired by the London Olympic Games. One of his proudest achievements was qualifying and representing Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He is currently training as a full-time athlete, training primarily at high altitude to maximise performance.
Major accolades
- 2025: 9th at London marathon
- 2024: 4th at London marathon
- 2024: 57th place Olympic Games (2:15:19)
- 2023: Valencia Marathon debut – 7th fastest brit of all times (2:08:42)
- 2019 and 2022: England National Cross Country Champion
“Solent University has been one of my biggest supporters since I started running. They’ve been alongside my journey to help me with my education and sport for a long time”
Xu Lijia Oly
Course: MA Sport Broadcast Journalism
Graduated: 2019
Xu is a former Laser Radial sailor who achieved remarkable success on the world stage. She won a bronze medal in the women's Laser Radial class at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, followed by a gold medal in the same event at the 2012 London Olympics, where she also had the honour of serving as China’s flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony. Xu is a three-time World Champion, claiming titles in 2001, 2002, and 2006. After graduating from Solent University, she transitioned into media, covering both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a freelance journalist.
Major accolades
- 2001: World Championships – 1st Optimist class
- 2002: World Championships – 1st Optimist class
- 2002: Asian Games – 1st Optimist class
- 2005: Chinese National Games – 2nd Europe class
- 2006: World Championships – 1st Laser Radial class
- 2006: Asian Games – 1st Laser Radial class
- 2008: World Championships – 2nd Laser Radial class
- 2008: Olympics – 3rd Laser Radial class
- 2012: World Championships – 2nd Laser Radial class
- 2012: Olympics – 1st Laser Radial class
- 2012: World Sailor of the year
“Solent University not only provide me with the whole scholarship to cover the tuition fee for my master's study, but also offered training support and physio to help me continue my sailing career.”
Jessie Wallen Lassen
Course: BSc Applied Sport Science
Graduated: 2017
Jesse was scouted at the age of 13 by Tottenham Hotspur FC, where he remained for six years, earning both a scholarship and a professional contract. After suffering a broken ankle and being released, he got back into the game by captaining the Solent football team while studying at Solent University. Since graduating in 2017, he has played for Rebel FC, Hashtag United, Hertford Town, and most recently in the Baller League. He now runs his own football coaching business, focusing mainly on one-to-one coaching and football camps.
Proudest achievements
Winning Sports Person of the Year two years in a row at Solent, and scoring at Wembley.
“The sport excellence programme was great for me - having come from a professional set up at Spurs, the programme really filled that void. The S&C, access to recovery (ice baths and massage), plus the academic support really helped me not only excel while at uni but made me feel valued!”
Caitlyn Morris
Course: MSci Football Science
Graduated: 2021
Caitlyn played football from the age of four, going on to play for Hampshire Centre of Excellence between the ages of eight and 16, Cardiff City Ladies between the ages of 16 and 18, Southampton FC Women between the ages of 18 and 22, and with AFCB Women’s. She has also represented Wales at U19 level and had a senior team call up. Caitlyn is now working for Southampton City Council, supporting young people in and around the youth justice system
Proudest achievements
Back to back promotions with Southampton into the Championship and qualifying for the Euros with Wales U19
“The sport excellence programme was a brilliant tool to have during university, it perfectly supplemented my training schedule with Southampton and meant I was able to maximise my recovery, strength training, and psychological wellbeing! The staff are super knowledgeable and genuinely care about supporting students to achieve both in their sporting and academic careers.”
James Clowes
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design and MA Visual Communication
Graduated: 2017 and 2019
James began playing Boccia at the age of 11, and by 14 had earned a silver medal at the National Junior Para Sports Games. In 2010, he was selected for the England squad, where he has remained for the past 15 years. James has represented England at various international events, competing in countries such as Austria, the Netherlands, Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland. Alongside his athletic career, James runs his own business (Star Support for You Limited), while also being a TASS athlete representative.
Major accolades
- 2024: UK Championships Bronze Medal
- 2023: UK Championships Bronze Medal
- 2019- UK Championships Silver Medal
- 2013 – National BC2 Champion
“Solent was a great place to study as I was able to do both my degree and master's while competing in Boccia. I really enjoyed having all my academic support and sporting facilities all in one place. The sport excellence team provided me with excellent services with strength and conditioning, lifestyle support and physiotherapy.”
Graduate stories
Other notable alumni
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