Boxing: Trophée des Outre-mer |12 July 2023

Local pugilists return with unsatisfying results

A single win by Arshild David against Mauritian pugilist Fabrice Jean Karl Valerie in the 54kg category is the overall performance of the Seychelles national boxing selection at the recently held Trophée des Outre-mer which took place in Champ Fleuri in Reunion from July 6 to 8.

Seychelles was represented at the competition, hosted by the Comité Régional de Boxe de la Réunion, by seven boxers, and the single win placed the country fourth overall, while hosts Reunion came out strong, winning  seven medals – five gold and two silver.

The other local boxers were Tino Gabriel (51kg), Dario Gabriel (57kg), female pugilist Ariana Mémée (70kg), Sebastiano Pierini (60kg), Ivan Rachel (71kg) and Joshua Cousin (75kg).

Caribbean countries, namely Martinique and Guadeloupe also took part in the competition.

Speaking to Sports NATION, head of delegation Jack Bonne said he felt that the Seychelles team could have performed much better at the tournament.

“To say frankly, the tournament was of a high level, but we could have produced better results,” said Bonne, who added that he recognises the gap between our fighters and those from Mauritius and Reunion.

He said there were some irregularities and possible tampering with the results since the beginning which lowered the motivation of the local boxers.

“Not all the procedures were done the same for all countries, but we did not pursue such matter as it was not an IBA associated tournament,” added Bonne.

The trip to Reunion formed part of the preparation for the young pugilists who will be taking part in the upcoming Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG), and also the African Championships scheduled to place in Yaoundé, Cameroun.

Neil Sirame