Five continents, five different but essential roles in the university sports movement. Meet Le, Jordan, Veronika, Krista and Nomsa, inspiring women who should be celebrated all year round.
Today, on 8 March 2026, the International Women’s Day is celebrating it’s 115 years of existence. And This year’s theme is ‘Give To Gain’.
So as much as women, and people in general should be celebrated every single day of the year, today, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) is giving… exposure to one inspiring woman per continent to gain recognition, support and encouragement for them and for the university sports movement worldwide.
From student-athlete HSU Le, who is a recent Deaflympic silver medallist who also took part to the Chengdu 2023 FISU World University Games in athletics for Chinese Taipei, to FISU Executive Committee Member Nomsa Mahlangu from South Africa, embark on a world tour of inspirations where ambition and dreams meet dialogue and empowerment. They tell us what being a women in their position means to them and share their messages to all women who are part of the world university sports movement.
ASIA – HSU LE
100m hurdler and junior student at Fu Jen Catholic University, Chinese Tapei
What does being a woman in your position represent?
“In the past, people often expected men to be brave and strong, while women were seen as gentle and cute. But times are changing, and I’m so happy to see this progress. To me, being a ‘woman’ is just a biological gender— it shouldn’t define how we must act. As a woman, I embrace my gentle and sensitive side, but I’m also proud to show my bravery and strength.”
What is your message to all the other women in the university sports world?
“In university, some people are just starting their journey with passion, while others might be considering giving up due to injuries or other challenges. Remember, everyone has their own rhythm in life. Some reach their peak at twenty, while others don’t find their ‘golden moment’ until thirty. We cannot foresee the results before they unfold. What I want to say is: do not compromise or burden yourself for the sake of others’ expectations. Let your choices be driven solely by one reason— because it is what you truly desire.”
OCEANIA – JORDAN TOWNSEND
Ironman Triathlete and High Performance Programme Coordinator at University of Auckland, New Zealand
What does being a woman in your position represent?
“Being a woman in my position means stepping into opportunity, pushing beyond perceived limits and leading with authenticity.
In Ironman, men and women share the same racecourse. The people who make it to the finish line are not defined by gender, but by resilience, the willingness to push through discomfort, to get back up when things go wrong, and to keep going. High performance sport is not about who can lift the most or appear the strongest. It is about belief, persistence, and the courage to continue, even when there are challenges.
For me, strength is about embracing femininity. I wear bright pink in my sport and in my workplace. No matter where I am, you will find a piece of pink on me. I love that I can ride 180 kilometres on the bike and still show up fully as myself, riding a pink sparkly bike. You can be strong while being a woman. You can be competitive, ambitious, and powerful while embracing who you are.
My strength in leadership comes from that authenticity. Being relatable, showing that you do not have to fit one definition of strength allows students to see that they can define success in their own way.”
What is your message to all the other women in the university sports world?
“Keep your doors open. Put your best foot forward. Be your authentic self.
The period of being a university student is where identities are shaped and where small decisions, a conversation, a training session, a challenge you say yes to, can change your trajectory. There were many times in my life when I felt uncertain and questioned whether I was making the right decision.
High performance sport carries pressure, but uncertainty also creates opportunity, growth, and reward. Do not be afraid to take risks, express your goals, or stand out. You never know where one decision may lead.
Just as importantly, lean into community. No one accomplishes their goals alone. I would not be where I am today if others had not encouraged me to try my first triathlon and later a full Ironman. Community provides belief when your own confidence wavers. It provides perspective, accountability, and support. As a woman it can sometimes feel difficult to find your community in a world where sport is male dominated. I want to encourage young woman to find their support people and build their community of people who lift them up, whether that be a coach, a friend, or training partners.
You do not need to have everything figured out. You just need to take that step.”
EUROPE – VERONIKA KOSMACH
3×3 Basketball Player, her team, Vasyl Stefanyk University won the silver medal at the latest Brasilia FISU University World Cup 3×3 Basketball, Ukraine
What does being a woman in your position represent?
“Women are like flowers: beautiful and delicate but also strong. We are strong on the outside while still managing to be gentle on the inside.”
“Being a woman in my role means combining strength, sensitivity, confidence and support. It is about responsibility, leadership and the ability to inspire by example,”
What is your message to all the other women in the university sports world?
“Take your players with you and make yourself heard. Your voice, talent and energy are important.”
“Support each other: together we can build a strong and inspiring community.”
AMERICA – KRISTA GERLICH
Basketball coach of the Lady Raiders of Texas Tech University (33 years of coaching, six in this role) and of USA Women’s team at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, United States of America
What does being a woman in your position represent?
“Being a woman in my leadership role as Head coach for my Alma Mater is very humbling, exciting and empowering. To lead young women in the sport I love at the University that molded me, is a dream come true. It is my passion and purpose to empower young women to be brave and courageous and believe in themselves to achieve whatever they set their minds to.”
“I feel a great responsibility to model that confidence and mindset on a daily basis and to show young women that we can be impactful leaders in our profession while also being a great mother, wife and friend.”
What is your message to all the other women in the university sports world?
“My message is that women need women to inspire, impact and empower each other in the university sports movement. We can compete with the best, we can overcome challenges in our field, and we can be incredibly successful at the highest level.”
“Women need to encourage each other and lift each other up in this competitive world of sports. I’m humbled and honoured to now be a leader in this space after growing up through it”
AFRICA – NOMSA MAHLANGU
International University Sports Federation Executive Committee Member and Senior Director for Sport at University of Johannersburg, South Africa
What does being a woman in your position represent?
“Being a woman and a leader in sport and particularly university sports represents breaking barriers. Obviously, sport has always been seen as a male dominated industry, so as women we represent inclusion, transformation, innovation, social and cultural change. It represents shattering that glass ceiling that in fact only exists in our minds.
For me, being in this position is a dream come true for a young girl who believed she would never be able to lead in sport. am here as an example to show that you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it.”
What is your message to all the other women in the university sports world?
“Women in university sports must claim their space and they must inspire. They need to make sure to make a difference in the spaces they are in. As a woman, it is your responsibility to open doors for other women. It is your responsibility to nurture, to mentor and to support other women. We can only reach more female representation when we hold hands and we walk together. Stronger.
And through unity and cohesion, I believe we will be able to transform university sport.”
And by the way, it is still time to register for FISU’s next Gender Equality Webinar, which will take pace Tuesday 10 March 2026. Don’t miss it!
Happy International Women’s Day to each and everyone out there from all of us at FISU!
Pictures courtesy of the participants, Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games and Texas Tech Athletics
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