Rewarding Excellence

Published December 2011

A TV production student from the University of Brighton in Hastings has won a top sports scholarship.

Paraglider Juan Ospina Restrepo, 22, from Columbia, was chosen from 45 applicants and awarded one of the university's Top Level Talented Sport Performer Award.

The sports scholarships are designed to help talented athletes develop sporting excellence by providing financial support for training and attending competitions whilst achieving their academic qualifications.

Scholarship benefits comprise up to £500 per academic year, free university sports membership, access to sports science support from a team of British Association of Sport and Exercise scientists, reduced rates in sports medicine and access to a sports/academic mentor.

Juan has excelled as a paraglider in the last year. He gained his advanced pilot licence in England, won first prize for the best newcomer to the British championships, took part in the Paragliding World Cup and became  number one in the Colombian World ranking listing.

He said  "I won the best newcomer during the opens in Slovenia and France.  I was also selected for the Portugal round of the Paragliding World Cup where I was lucky enough to fly with some of the best pilots on the planet. I’m now number one in my country and number 14 in South America.” He is also ranked 15th in England and 391st worldwide.

Juan's goals for 2012 are to take part in the British Championships in Italy and Spain and to go to Paragliding World Cup events in Portugal and Macedonia. His next competition will be in South Africa from December 11 to 17.