
Francesco Abbadessa
Sport: Tennis
Academic course: Medicine
Hometown: Milan, Italy
Best sporting achievement/personal best: Playing a qualifying round of men’s ITF Futures professional tournament.
- ITF Master's Tour singles world ranking #99 (30+ age group).
- National GB singles ranking #2 (30+ age group).
Why did you apply to study at Kent (new students) or what is your favourite thing about Kent Uni (returning students)? The beautiful campus with amazing sports facilities and a brand-new medical school.
With the Paris Olympics next summer in mind, what is your favourite Olympic moment or favourite Olympian? Del Potro winning against Nadal in the semi-finals of Rio 2016, after being injured and inactive for over a year.
Misha Koroliovas
Sport: Tennis
Academic course: Computer Science
Hometown/Nationality: Lithuanian/Vlinius
Best sporting achievement/personal best: Reached the last 4 of a Grade 3 regional tournament where I competed against the top players in the county in August 2023.
Why did you apply to study at Kent (new students) or what is your favourite thing about Kent Uni (returning students)? Returning to Kent allows me to continue
participating and acquiring the opportunity to participate in the sport I love
as well as representing the university in all of my forthcoming events.
With the Paris Olympics next summer in mind what is your favourite Olympics moment or favourite Olympian? Mo-Farah winning the 5,000M and 10,000M races and reading his book afterwards in awe at his story and how much effort he put in to get to where he is.

Derin Samioglu
Sport: Tennis
Academic course: Sport and Exercise Science and Sport Management
Nationality: Cypriot
Best sporting achievement/personal best: Ranked #1 in Men’s North Cyprus.
Why did you apply to study at Kent (new students) or what is your favourite thing about Kent Uni (returning students)? Amazing sport facilities and a lovely campus.
With the Paris Olympics next summer in mind what is your favourite Olympics moment or favourite Olympian? Michael Phelps.