Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 |24 June 2023

Gold medalist Jean-Marc de Silva leapt a distance of 2.38m in long jump (Photo: Contributed)

Gold for Jean-Marc de Silva in long jump

• One silver and three bronze medals in bocce

Long Jumper Jean-Marc de Silva yesterday won Seychelles’ first gold medal at the ongoing 16th Special Olympics World Games taking place in Berlin, bringing the country’s meals tally to five, after our bocce players won a silver and three bronze medals on Thursday.

De Silva leapt a distance of 2.38m to finish first and clinch the gold medal.

Seychelles other medals were in bocce where in women’s singles, Suzie Sarakkya won a silver medal, before pairing with Anielle Charlette in the women’s doubles to finish third for the bronze medal.

Seychelles’ other two bronze medals came courtesy of Peter Valentin and Graham Jacques in the bocce men’s singles.

Also in the men’s singles, Aleandro Croisée finished fourth overall, while in the same event for women, Maggie Estico was fourth overall.

In men’s standing long-jump Anil Quatre finished sixth overall, while in the women’s competition, Donelle Ernesta was sixth overall, before failing her attempt in shot put.

Team Seychelles at the Games are made up of Donelle Ernesta (girls athletics), Jean-Marc de Silva and Anil Quatre (boys athletics), Graham Jacques, Anielle Charlette – from La Digue – Peter Valentin, Maggie Estico – from Praslin – Aleandro Croisée, Suzie Sarakkya – from Mahe – (bocce), and ) and Richard Sophola (power lifting).

They are being accompanied by head coach Erica Celeste, coaches Olivier Nibourette, Vincent Cedras, Rency Balgobin, Jean Vardin, Hellen Ernesta (head of delegation), Raymonde Onezime (assistant head of delegation) and Dr Mickey Noël (medical).

Roland Duval