Judo - Derick Croisé, Nantenaina Finesse win a bronze apiece |24 July 2019

Nantenaina Finesse (right) is the -90kg bronze medalist

Male judokas Derick Croisé (-81kg) and Nantenaina Finesse (-90kg) have each won a bronze for Seychelles at the ongoing 10th Indian Ocean Islands Games in Mauritius.

They were both guaranteed a bronze medal after losing their semifinal encounters. Croisé lost by ippon to Clement Grimaud of Reunion, just seconds into his -81kg fight. His compatriot Finesse also lost by ippon to Sergio Karamali from Madagascar.

All the other male and female judokas from Seychelles were eliminated early in the competition.

The men’s and women’s individual judo category competitions were held yesterday from morning till afternoon at the Judo Gymnasium at the Côte d’Or Sports Complex.

Croisé, who lost his first fight to Brian Etienne from Mauritius, got the better of Joris Fort from Mayotte to win his second fight for a place in the semifinal.

As for Finesse, he won his first fight against Ruddy Cender from Reunion before losing his second against Remy Feuillet from Mauritius.

Medal hopeful Dominic Dugasse was eliminated in the -100kg category following losses to Mahandry Randriambelo from Madagascar and Hansley Adonis from Mauritius. Lionel Savy, competing in the +100kg division, lost his first fight to Adrien Chu Cheung Kum from Reunion and later lost to Sebastien Perrine from Mauritius.

In the women’s category, Nathaella Volcère competing in the -78kg category, lost her first fight to Mayla Bertschy from Reunion but she managed to book a place in the semifinal where she lost by ippon to Christina Dafreville from Mauritius. As there were only four fighters in this category, only three medals were up for grabs and since she had lost in the semifinal, Volcère had to fight again for the bronze medal but she lost to the other losing semifinalist Miora Rasoanaivo from Madagascar.

Competing in the -70 kg division, Stacy Chang Pin-Tive lost her first fight to Noemie Evenor from Mauritius and to Naila Abubacar from the Comoros.

In the women’s -78kg category, Marie-Anette Vidot lost to Lea Fontaine from Reunion and also to Lainy Ali Houmadi from Mayotte to leave the competition.

Coach Naddy Jeanne said he was satisfied with the results obtained yesterday and he noted that the performances of his athletes were not too bad considering the fact that judokas from the neighbouring countries are of a higher level.

Text and photos Patrick Joubert in Mauritius