ECU's Amanda Edwards is one of the Aussie 'UniRoos' competing at the World University Games this year.
Amanda Edwards is the 22-year-old nursing student who will be representing Edith Cowan University (ECU) and Australia at the Summer FISU World Games held in China.
"The UniRoos is the name given to all high-performance Aussie teams competing at the World University Championships this year," Amanda said.
Known to many as the University Olympics, the competition features the world's best university students, or recently graduated athletes.
"It's a combination of the most elite athletics champions from universities all around the world, from a range of different sports, and I am so honoured to have this experience."
Amanda will compete in the gymnastics tournament, after qualifying as an international elite in 2020.
The Games, from 28 July to 8 August are being held in Chengdu, China.
There are 98 competitors, from 50 countries, including Japan, Russia, Canada, Turkey and Italy in this year's summer event.
Athletes will compete in a range of Olympic sports, from track and field, to swimming, netball, basketball and diving events.
"18 of the world's best gymnasts who attend university qualify for the all-around competition, from there only eight will move to the apparatus final, that is the vault, bars, beam and floor rounds," Amanda explained.
"It will be a very tight contest, with only the best of the best taking part, but I am confident in my ability and very proud to do it representing my family, my country and of course ECU."
Amanda recently completed her Bachelor of Science (Nursing) and has already accepted a job at The Perth Children’s Hospital.
"I wouldn't have been able to balance my studies with my strict gymnastics training regime without the incredible support I received from my lecturers and peers," she said.
"I am so grateful that ECU has enabled me to pursue the career of my dreams, and at the same time allowed me the flexibility to stay competitive in the sport I have loved and devoted so much of my life to since I was very young."
Amanda's first round of competition takes place on 3 August.
Whatever the outcome, she will remain in Chengdu ahead of the closing ceremony on August 8, before flying home to Australia on a private jet for competitors.
If you'd like to learn more about the FISU World Games competitions, head to the event calendar.
