Mark Chapman has been an athletics coach for 25 years and has taken athletes to five world championships as well as a team coach for Great Britain.
At Greenwich, Mark is the Academic Portfolio Lead and Programme Leader MSc Strength & Conditioning.
Two of the athletes he currently works with have recently turned in two of their best performances to capture medals at the UK Athletic Championship
22-year-old Zara Obamakinwa won Gold in the discus last month at the UK’s top track‑and‑field championships. Retaining her title, Zara delivered her best throw of 55.85m in the final round.
Mark also coaches 24-year-old Lauren Farley, who was awarded Silver in the javelin at the Championships and has previously represented Great Britain at European U23 Championships.
Mark is a Team coach for the Great Britain athletics team, supporting athletes at international championships. He has coached both Zara and Lauren since they were 12, guiding them from promising young athletes to national medal winners.
In the last four championships, Zara won Bronze in 2023, Silver in 2024, Gold in 2025 and 2026. She has represented Great Britain at every World and European age group championship and has now been invited to compete at the London Diamond league competition, the biggest one-day athletics event of the year, where she will compete against the world’s best athletes, including multiple Olympic medallists.
Mark said:
"I am proud that I am able to help athletes achieve high levels of performance and represent their country on the International stage. Studying for a degree in Sport Science hugely impacted on my ability as a coach. It gave me skills such as critical analysis and a greater understanding of the science behind what I was trying to do with athletes, which has led to me becoming a highly respected coach Internationally.
"Students gain the benefit of my experience when I bring that into the classroom. They respect that and it helps keep the relationships I have with students strong and engaging. It also shows them what is possible from using what they learn on their degree."
