RSU celebrates its athletes after a record-breaking season

Continuing the tradition launched in 2017, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) held a ceremonial event in the university’s Great Hall on 10 June to honour its most outstanding sports teams, athletes, and coaches. The 2025/2026 season has become the most successful in RSU’s sporting history, with national championship titles, historic achievements in student sport, and medals won at Baltic-level competitions. These accomplishments reflect the continued growth and competitiveness of the university’s sports system. 

Opening the ceremony, RSU Rector Professor Aigars Pētersons said: ‘This has truly been an exceptional sporting season, and I am immensely proud of all of you. Our sporting community and its achievements continue to grow alongside the university. A year ago, we celebrated 168 outstanding athletes at this event; this year, the number has exceeded 200. These figures demonstrate that sport at RSU is not merely an extracurricular activity – it is an integral part of our university’s identity, energy, and community spirit.’ 

Athletes and coaches were also congratulated by RSU Chancellor Toms Baumanis, Head of the RSU Sports Club Laura Ritova, and Chair of the RSU Student Union Kristiana Jurkevica. A special surprise performance was provided by Helvijs Fiņķis, one of the most prominent names in contemporary Latvian music, whose performance received a standing ovation from athletes and guests. 

RSU’s sports system currently comprises more than 300 athletes and 14 sports teams. 

A new chapter in the development of university sport will begin this September, as construction of the new RSU sports centre at 3 Cigoriņu iela in Torņakalns nears completion. The facility will become a major centre for sport, healthy living, and community engagement for students, staff, future generations of athletes, and for the Pārdaugava community. 

The most successful sports season in RSU history 

The past season has brought several historic achievements for RSU sport. For the first time, the university became the highest-ranked higher education institution in the overall standings of the Latvian University Games, further reinforcing its leading position in student sport. 

At the same time, RSU team sports achieved outstanding results in national competitions. The men’s volleyball team Robežsardze / RSU, the RSU women’s volleyball team, and the ice hockey team Mogo / RSU all won Latvian championship titles, while the RSU / VEF Rīga basketball team became National Basketball League champions for the first time in the university’s history. 

‘The 2025/2026 season has been the most successful in the history of RSU sport. It is a shared achievement of all our athletes, coaches, and the Sports Club, demonstrating the results of persistent work and purposeful development,’ said Laura Ritova, Head of the Sports Club. 

From the Riga marathon to a European champion title 

The season has also been highly successful in individual sports. RSU athletes won 11 medals and the swimmers claimed 17, while the powerlifting team continues to establish itself as one of the strongest student sports teams in the Baltic region. A particularly notable achievement came from European Student Champion Alberts Aleksandrs Šķila, who triumphed in the under-120 kg powerlifting category with a combined total of 787.5 kg across three disciplines. 

Meanwhile, 64 RSU employees and students completed the full 42-kilometre distance at this year’s Rimi Riga Marathon. 

RSU athletes write new chapters in SELL Games history 

It was a standout season for our student athletes at the international SELL Games as well. RSU was the most widely represented team at the event, with 120 student athletes participating. In total, the university won 17 medals. 

The RSU men’s volleyball team achieved a historic milestone by becoming SELL Games champions for the first time. For the first time in university history, Atvars Ozoliņš and Markuss Maculēvičs won gold medals in the SELL Games beach volleyball tournament. Meanwhile, orienteer Anete Strauta also made history as the first RSU athlete to win a medal in orienteering at the SELL Games, claiming silver. 

Behind every medal is a person 

RSU’s sporting success is built not only on the talent and determination of its athletes, but also on the daily commitment of coaches, sports professionals, and the Sports Club team. 

Special recognition was also given during the ceremony to Jānis Blūms, RSU Sports Activities and Sponsorship Coordinator, for his dedication, professionalism, commitment to strengthening the university’s values, and significant contribution to the development of sport at RSU. 

‘Behind every medal and every victory stand people whose work is not always publicly visible. On behalf of RSU, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the coaches, the Sports Club team, and everyone who helps our athletes grow, improve, and achieve their goals,’ said Prof. Pētersons. 

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