Performance scholar's sporting success

Teesside University graduate Mike Oyono was selected to compete against athletes from across Europe at an international sports event.

Michel Archange Obiang Oyono, who is known as Mike, qualified for the 2026 European Universities Combat Sports Championships in Tirana, Albania.

Mike, who graduated from the MBA International Business Management with Marketing Applied earlier this year, balanced his academic studies at Teesside University with his international sports career in judo.

During his time at Teesside University, Mike was recognised as a Performance Sport Scholar to support his dual-career development. And although he graduated this year this year, as an alumni Mike continues to receive support in strength and conditioning.

Andy Jones, Teesside University Performance Sport Co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to see Mike continue to achieve such success. We support him as a Teesside University alumni with our gym and training facilities, and as his strength and conditioning coach.”

During this time as a Teesside student, Mike regularly represented the University in external competitions and British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) events during the 2025/26 season, achieving a silver medal which qualified him for the EUSA games.

Mike was a Performance Sport Scholar for two years at Teesside University and was named Performance Athlete of the Year for 2025. He also won the Youth Impact Award at the Tees Valley Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awards for his contributions to the multicultural community in 2025, along with a prize in recognition of his outstanding commitment to judo, his leadership, and his work to inspire others in the local community.

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