MBAT 2025: A Story of Competition, Camaraderie and Community

With business schools from across the globe gathering at HEC Paris for three days of intense sports competition, networking, and social events, Sharon, Full-time MBA participant, reflects on her time at MBAT, the MBA Olympics!

I still remember the early days of our MBA journey at WBS, when one of our cohort mates first planted the seed in our minds of MBAT – the MBA tournament held by HEC Paris. He spoke about it not just as a sporting event, but as a truly unique experience: a three-day festival where MBA students from Europe’s top business schools come together to compete, collaborate, and connect through sports, cultural performances, and social events. The idea of representing WBS on an international stage immediately struck a chord with many of us.

At the time, it felt like a distant idea, something to think about later. But the spark was lit. It reignited in March when a group of students from the cohort represented WBS at a football tournament with Alliance Manchester Business School. The thrill of representing our school brought a new wave of excitement and interest. Suddenly, what began as a casual conversation in the MBA lounge became a reality we could rally around.

This year’s MBAT consisted of a range of events, from classic sports like badminton, cricket and football to more unconventional ones like Stein-holding. It also included social events such as trivia, dance, battle of the bands and even a fashion show. Each day of the three-day tournament ended with themed social mixers: Wild Wild West, Neon Night, and a Gala Evening—bringing all participants together to unwind and celebrate.

The run up to MBAT

Despite a packed schedule, with international modules placing half of us in Portugal and the other half in Finland just weeks before MBAT, we sprang into action. With little time to spare, we formed teams and even had some individual entries across a range of events: badminton, dance, battle of the bands, trivia, CrossFit, and the 10K race. One of our teammates took the lead on logistics, coordinating with both WBS and HEC to manage fixtures, schedules, and admin details.

The build-up to MBAT was a mix of intensity, anticipation, and serious time management. I was part of the trivia and dance teams. We spent late evenings practicing dance routines, prepping for trivia rounds, jamming with our band, and planning outfits for the socials. There was a buzzing, nervous excitement in the air.

Arriving in Paris

We began our journey to Paris on 30th April, already meeting students from other business schools headed in the same direction.

The moment we arrived at HEC, there was a palpable atmosphere charged with pride, adrenaline, and shared purpose. Wheeling our suitcases through the campus, exchanging greetings and introductions with other schools in the hallways—it already felt like something special.

The games begin!

Day 1 events—Trivia and Men’s CrossFit—kicked off almost immediately. With both running in parallel, our group split to support each. Even though victories were few on the first day, what stood out was the strength of our support system. We cheered on every point, huddled for encouragement after close losses, and ran between venues just to make sure no one ever felt alone. At the badminton courts, our teammate won a thrilling first match. We celebrated with him before moving on to support our next participant.

A particularly unforgettable moment came during the women’s CrossFit event. Under the blazing Parisian sun, our teammate was on her final lap. We gathered at the finish line, cheering her name, playing music, even jogging alongside her to give that last boost. That moment—raw, unfiltered, and full of heart—captured the essence of what this tournament meant to us. It wasn’t about medals. It was about showing up for one another. Watching her push through with our voices lifting her spirit even moved some of us to tears. It was a defining moment in our journey, not just as MBA students, but as a team.

Inspired by this moment, the two of us on the dance team made a spontaneous decision. Although only we had rehearsed the routine, we invited the entire WBS crew to join us on stage for the final 30 seconds of our performance that night. We quickly choreographed a simple sequence, and everyone joined us on stage. The energy in the room was electric. The friends we made from other schools that morning cheered us on. The performance may not have earned us a podium finish, but it gave us something even more memorable—a moment of collective celebration and belonging. By the end of Day 1, we’d already exchanged hugs, shed a few tears, and found ourselves grateful for each person’s effort and presence.

Day 2 - In sync and in spirit

Day 2 began on a high note as our mixed badminton team made it to the semi-finals. Every point won was met with roars of celebration, every setback with cheers of encouragement. On the sidelines, we bonded with students from other schools—exchanging tips, practicing together, and even cheering for people we had just met. It was a true display of sportsmanship and solidarity.

That day also featured a pitch competition, where we were paired with students from different schools, a fashion show, and a guest talk by the Director of Finance and Administration at Hermès. As someone from the fashion industry, this was a surreal moment for me—listening to insights from Hermès in the heart of Paris was the kind of moment dreams are made of. It was one of those instances where personal passion, academic exposure, and industry immersion all came together.

We also had another major highlight that evening—our band, The Midlanders, was scheduled to perform. I loved jamming with them during rehearsals and was blown away by their talent and creativity. One band member couldn’t join us in Paris due to visa issues, but the band, in true WBS spirit, carried his printed photo with them and dedicated their performance to him on stage. That moment, equal parts funny and heartfelt, brought the house down. We were just twelve students in a crowd of 1,500, but our voices were loud and our presence unmistakable.

Day 3 - A fitting finale

Day 3 arrived far too soon. It was bittersweet—the final day, but one full of promise. We kicked off with the 10K race, where two of our teammates tackled the terrain with remarkable determination. Meanwhile, our mixed doubles badminton team secured bronze, our first medal of the tournament! We were brimming with pride as we celebrated the moment with them. Later, a team of three even participated in a wine-tasting competition, where we placed a respectable fifth, raising wine glasses (quite literally) to the WBS MBAT 2025 team.

With the competitions wrapped up, we seized a few hours to experience the city itself. From a quick trip to the Eiffel Tower and enjoying crepes in a Parisian café to watching everyday life unfold on cobbled streets, we tried to capture as many 'Life in Paris' moments as we could. A sudden hailstorm added a touch of drama and spontaneity to our afternoon. As evening fell, we got ready for the grand finale—the Gala Night. It was a chance to let our hair down, put on our best, and raise a toast to the past three days. We congratulated the winners and exchanged stories, Instagram handles, and LinkedIn connections (of course), as we shared one last dance with new friends and familiar faces. We also expressed our gratitude to the HEC team, who pulled off a feat of incredible scale and organisation.

The next morning, we bid goodbye to our peers over breakfast and checked out of the hotel. A few of us stayed on to explore Paris a bit more—visiting the Louvre, Sacré-Cœur, and Notre-Dame. To our delight, some of our new friends from other schools joined us on this final cultural tour.

Reflecting on our MBAT experience

Looking back, MBAT was more than a competition. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with unexpected friendships, shared pride, and a spirit of unity that’s hard to describe but easy to feel. We entered with competitive ambition and walked away with something far more powerful: connection, community, and a deep appreciation for what it means to represent WBS on a global stage. After exploring the academic side of international learning through our modules in Portugal and Finland, this was our opportunity to dive into the cultural and emotional side of business school life. It reminded us why we chose WBS- for its commitment to holistic development, well-being, and experiential learning.

Re-energised and inspired, we’re now more connected than ever to our European peers and excited to see what collaborations the future holds. Whether it's another competition or a business idea born over a crêpe in Paris, one thing is clear: the best is yet to come—and we are preparing for it! As this year’s MBAT team, we hope to keep the spirit alive for the next one too, by supporting future cohorts, building deeper collaborations across schools, and perhaps even returning next year in new roles. Whether it’s mentoring, organising, or cheering from the sidelines, we know the legacy of WBS at events like these is just getting started.