Sports Awards of the Year 2014 |24 January 2015
Male, female finalists for young athletes’ awards
Athlete Ned Azemia
Ned Azemia dominated the local athletics scene in 2014 and also achieved some good results at regional and international competitions.
He was the 400m hurdles bronze medallist with a time of 53.27 seconds (a new national youth record) at the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana, to qualify for the World Junior Championship in Oregon, USA where he clocked a time of 53.97 seconds in the heats. Azemia also took part in the CAA 19th African Athletics Championship in Marrakech, Morocco.
Locally he won the 400m races of the National Youth Championship in 50.49 seconds and Open Season Championship in 49.7 seconds. In the Special Events competition, he won the 200m hurdles in 25.0 seconds, 600m hurdles in 1 minute 21.8 seconds, 150m in 16.5 seconds and 300m in 35.4 seconds for a new national record.
He also triumphed in the 400m (49.85 seconds) and 800m (2 minutes 01.80 seconds) during the National Schools Athletics Championship.
“I am hoping to finish among the top three, although I think boxer Keven Kilindo might win it,” said Azemia.
Boxer Keven Kilindo
Keven Kilindo won gold for Seychelles at the African Youth Games in Botswana and added a silver medal during the African Youth Championships. He also took part in the AIBA Youth Championship in Bulgaria.
“I do think I have a chance of winning, but Damien Laporte is also a big favourite to win,” said Kilindo.
Judoka Nantenaina Finesse
Young judoka Nantenaina Finesse won gold for Seychelles at the African Youth Games in Botswana, before claiming two silver medals – one at the Mauritius International Tournament and another on home soil at the Seychelles International Tournament.
“I think I could be among the top three given my performances in international competitions,” said Finesse.
Table tennis player Nicholas Esther
Nicholas Esther was a regular finalist in the Monthly challenges, winning it on two occasions. At the African Youth Games, he was ranked 13th out of 21 competitors. He also won gold medal in the team event, mixed doubles and men’s singles in the Seychelles/Reunion under-18 tournament. Esther also won a silver medal in the men’s singles and two bronze in the team event and men’s doubles at the CJSOI tournament.
Nicholas could not be reached for his comments.
Tennis player Damien Laporte
Damien Laporte was the under-14 doubles gold medallist at the ITF/Cat tournament in Mauritius where he also finished as runner-up in the male singles event. He also triumphed at the France TC Place under-12 male singles event.
In local competitions, the 12-year-old was the winner of the Kia Motors Master senior event and Kia Motors/STA tournament. In the Vijay Tour Master, he was the runner-up.
“I feel that I had a good year and although I’m seeing myself finishing among the top three, I think Keven Kilindo might win it as he has done well,” said Laporte.
Badminton player Chlorie Cadeau
Chlorie Cadeau won the GS Pillay junior competition’s women’s singles and mixed doubles events and earned second place finishes in the women’s doubles of the Curtain-raiser tournament and in the women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles of the Closing Cup competition. She also won a bronze medal in the team event at the Africa Senior Championship and took part in the Africa Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games.
“I can’t really say where I might finish, but I am hoping for a place among the top three,” said Cadeau.
Basketballer Sarah Rose
Young basketballer Sarah Rose, who plays for Mont Fleuri, won the Regatta tournament as well as the SBF Cup during 2014. Her team also finished as the runners-up in the Curtain-raiser tournament and achieved a third place finish in the league. Sarah was also a member of the Mont Fleuri team who lost the Indian Ocean Club Championship final to achieve a silver medal.
“I hope to finish among the top three, but I would be happy with fourth place. I believe Felicity (Passon) has the biggest chance of winning,” said Rose.
Tennis player Thérèse Soukoup
Thérèse Soukoup won the Vijay under-12 junior tour in 2014 and was a silver medalist in the girls’ doubles at the ITF/CAT East African Junior Championship.
Soukoup was contacted but could not be reached for comments.
Swimmer Felicity Passon
Felicity Passon won nine medals – seven gold and two silver – and the best female trophy for the 13-14 years category at the 12th Swimming Confederation of Africa (Cana) Zones 3 and 4 swimming short course championships in Uganda. She also got nine gold medals at the Sacos Interschool championship, two bronze medals at the African Youth Games. The young swimmer also won two bronze medals at the South Africa open and represented Seychelles at the Commonwealth Games. She also holds seven national long course records.
We were unable to get Passon’s thoughts as she is currently out of the country.
Weightlifter Romentha Larue
Reigning Young Female Athlete of the Year Romentha Larue won the 63kg weight category of the Open Championship with a 130kg total (60kg in snatch and 72kg in the clean-and-jerk). She also competed in three international competitions, finishing fifth at the African Youth Championship with a 123kg total, fourth at the African Youth Games in Botswana with 120kg and lifted the same total at the Youth Olympic Games to finish ninth.
She could not be reached for comments.
Compiled by S. N.