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Fighting fight: Erin Shaw is in striking distance of World University Games

Preparing for the biggest sporting stages is never easy, and for taekwondo athlete Erin Shaw, it’s been a journey with its fair share of challenging moments, and where preparation and resilience have been key.

Winning Students 100 scholar Erin is gearing up to compete at the World University Games in Germany this week, as the only female and Scottish athlete selected for the Great British taekwondo team.

Balancing her final months of university, including completing her dissertation and exams, with training and injury rehab, from a MCL knee injury and ligament damage in her ankle, has been a considerable challenge.

In the face of this, Erin’s preparations for the Games have been meticulous, focusing on refining her game plan, staying injury-free, and maintaining her mental resilience.

Erin explained: “I’ve been working closely with my coach, physiotherapist, and nutritionist to ensure I’m physically and mentally ready for the World University Games. Being as prepared as possible has required a lot of organisation, time management, and support.

“For me, mental preparation is just as important as the physical. I work with a sport psychologist to stay focused, positive, and mentally prepared on fight day so I can perform at my best.

“I am incredibly lucky to have a great support system around me while preparing for the Games. I am very grateful to have the best family, friends, teammates and coach in my corner as I head into this major event.

“Music also plays a big role in keeping the intensity and energy high during training – a bit of Rihanna in the gym always lifts the mood and helps get us through tough sessions!”

Reflecting on her journey, Erin acknowledged the challenges that tested her resolve. She said: “Over the past two years, I’ve faced some tough setbacks and injuries that at times made it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. There were moments during rehab where I questioned whether I’d ever be able to return to competing at this level. But looking back now, those challenging periods have made this moment all the more rewarding and show that my hard work is paying off.”

Despite the various demands, Erin graduated last week with a BSc Honours degree in physiology, sport science, and data science from the University of Glasgow and will now compete against the world’s best athletes, and once again demonstrate her sporting talent on the global stage.

Erin said: “The selection criteria were tough, so to be chosen, especially as the only female and Scottish athlete representing Great Britain in taekwondo, is a special moment. I’m proud to represent my country, university, and club, and I hope this is just the beginning of many more opportunities to compete at major events.”

Originally from Larbert, Erin’s taekwondo journey began at the age of seven and by 11, she had fully committed to taekwondo and was quickly making her mark on the international stage. In 2016, she represented Great Britain at the Cadet European Championships, followed by another European Championship appearance in 2017, where she was named team captain.

Her talent earned her a spot on the Great Britain Development Programme, where she trained with the nation’s top junior athletes. During this time, Erin competed in major events, including the Junior World Championships, and secured medals at international competitions.

However, the path wasn’t without its challenges. The pandemic disrupted her plans, and injuries forced her to step back from the development programme. It was during this period that Erin began her studies at the University of Glasgow, where she discovered she could balance high-performance sport with academics. This realisation reignited her competitive spirit, leading to a successful transition to senior-level competition.

As Erin steps onto the mat in Germany, she’s most excited to see her hard work pay off. She reflected: “Looking back, I’m proud of the way I handled the challenging periods, and I’m now heading into the Games feeling healthy and more prepared than ever. I’m looking forward to competing against the best athletes in the world and experiencing the Games as a whole – meeting athletes from around the globe and being part of such a prestigious event.”

Her advice to aspiring student-athletes? “Surround yourself with positive people who lift you up and genuinely want to see you succeed. Not everyone will understand your vision or the sacrifices required to compete at this level — but as long as you believe in it, that’s what matters most. Reaching the highest levels will take a huge amount of dedication, resilience, and discipline. Stay positive and focused on the bigger picture and keep showing up!”, said Erin.

Taekwondo events for the World University Games will be staged between 17th – 23rd July 2025 in Essen. Winning Students 100 applications for 2025-26 open on 1st August 2025.