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XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia |17 April 2018

Bronze medallist Keddy Agnes and Team Seychelles return from ‘Down Under’

 

Super heavy weight bronze medallist Keddy Agnes was the darling of the Seychelles contingent who returned home yesterday afternoon from taking part in the XXI Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4-15.

Agnes’ bronze medal ranks Seychelles joint-39th along with Cook Islands, Ghana, Norfolk Island, and Solomon Islands out of 43-medal-winning nations in the final standings.
Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mitcy Larue and principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre were among those present at the Seychelles International Airport to welcome our athletes and coaches.

At the Games, Seychelles took part in eight sports disciplines ‒ table tennis, boxing, swimming, athletics, badminton, weightlifting, cycling and squash.

The bronze medal won by boxer Keddy Agnes in the +91Kg category was the only piece of silverware for Team Seychelles at the Games.

Agnes won the bronze medal after his 4-1 quarterfinal victory over Arsene Fokou Fosso of Cameroon.

He later lost in the semifinal against India’s Satish Kumar.

Welcoming the athletes, Minister Larue, who was in Gold Coast for the first half of the Games and saw the Seychellois athletes in action, expressed her gratitude for their effort and commitment in competing for the country.

She urged them to keep pushing harder and to maintain the good level of discipline shown throughout the Games.

Minister Larue also made a special mention of athletes who excelled at the Games by winning medal and improving national records.

On behalf of the government, the sports minister pledged full support for local athletes, through her ministry, the National Sports Council, as well as the various sports federations and associations.

As a token of appreciation for their hard work and commitment, all the athletes and coaches were presented with flowers by Minister Larue and principal secretary Palmyre.

Seychelles’ only medallist at the Games Keddy Agnes said he could have gone further in the competition, but due to the injury to his right eye, certain crucial decisions, which were out of his control, had to be taken.

He added that his preparation for the competition was excellent.

“My coach expected me to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games and I was able to do so,” noted the super heavyweight.

Regarding his semifinal loss to Satish Kumar, Agnes said he felt that he could have won as he started well in round one.

“I was returning punches after punches, and I had a good chance of winning if the injury didn’t come into play, and for me, winning a medal is a great achievement,” added Agnes.

Only 24 years old, Agnes said he will keep working on his game and will be ready for any other challenge.

The bronze medal ranks Seychelles joint-39th along with Cook Islands, Ghana, Norfolk Island, and Solomon Islands out of 43-medal-winning nations in the final standings. A total of 71 nations took part in the Games and neighbouring Mauritius, who won a silver medal, was ranked joint 34th with Isle of Man and Nauru.

Host Australia finished first with 198 medals (80 gold, 59 silver and 59 bronze), ahead of second-placed England who gathered a total 136 medals (45 gold, 45 silver and 46 bronze).

India finished third with a grand total of 66 medals (26 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze).

The next Commonwealth Games will be held in 2022 in Birmingham, England.

 

R. D.

 

 

 

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