Weightlifting: National Championship New national records for Ruby Malvina on her comeback Steven Baccus, Romantha Larue lifters of the year |02 December 2019

Record breaker Ruby Malvina

Against all odds, female lifter Ruby Malvina, freshly out of suspension, came out strong on Saturday to set two new national records during this year’s National Championship held at the Bel Ombre district community centre.

After only lifting 75kg in snatch to miss out on beating the standard of 77kg, Malvina, who competes in the 64kg weight category, lifted 100kg in the clean and jerk to better the standard of 91kg to finish with a total of 175kg to improve the set standard total of 168kg.

Explaining the new records, chairman of the Seychelles Weightlifting Association (SWA) Robert Rose said they replaced the old records, or standards set by the association in March last year after the International Weightlifting Federation Executive Board approved 10 new bodyweight categories for each gender in the senior, junior and youth age divisions.

Saturday’s event gathered 12 lifters – five females and seven males.

Other than Malvina, Joelita Coloma, Romantha Larue, Chakira Rose and Anisha Valmont were also competing to better their performance.

In the 81kg category, Coloma had no opponent and her performances were 68kg in snatch and 85kg in clean and jerk for a total of 153kg.

In the 76kg category, Larue was also a lone competitor and she managed 75kg in snatch and 100kg in clean and jerk for a total of 175kg.

The 87kg category was the only group where there was real competition, precisely between Rose and Valmont.

Reigning female lifter of the year Rose was better on that day, snatching 60kg and lifting 80kg in clean and jerk for a total of 140kg, while Valmont snatched 55kg and lifted 85kg in clean and jerk for a similar total.

Rose was declared the winner because she lifted the bar with the same weight first.

In the men’s competition, most of the lifters were loners, expect for the 102kg category where Cyrous Farabeau went head-to-head with Derrick Come.

Clearly more comfortable in the category, police officer Farabeau dominated the group, snatching 105kg and lifting 125kg in clean and jerk for a total of 230kg to finish ahead of Come who snatched 100kg and lifted 120kg in clean and jerk for a total of 220kg.

In the 67kg category, Daryl Riaze collected a grand total of 192kg after snatching 80kg and lifting 112kg in clean and jerk.

Also alone in the 73kg category, Rick Confiance snatched 115kg and lifted 136kg in clean and jerk for a total of 251kg.

Junior athlete Samuel Saminadin who competed in the 96kg collected a grand total of 184kg after snatching 82kg and lifting 102kg in clean and jerk.

Jean-Yves Renaud competed in the 96kg and his final result was 175kg. He snatched 85kg, while in clean and jerk his performance was 90kg.

In the 109kg category, big man Robert Kilindo collected 200kg as his final total after snatching 90kg and lifting 110kg in clean and jerk.

Still at Saturday’s National Championship, it was officially announced that veteran lifter Steven Baccus and Romentha Larue are the male and female lifters of the year 2019.

National Championship Hall of Fame

Best male performer – Rick Confiance

Best female performer – Ruby Malvina

Best male athlete – Rick Confiance

Best female athlete – Ruby Malvina

Best junior male athlete – Samuel Saminadin

Best junior female athlete – Joelita Coloma

Best improved male athlete – Rick Confiance

Best improved female athlete – Romantha Larue

Male lifter of the year – Steven Baccus

Female lifter of the year – Romantha Larue

Roland Duval