Weightlifting: National Championship-Compelling spectacles as seven records fall |29 November 2004

A total of nine junior and senior records were improved in different male and female weight categories as the small crowd, which included Sports and Culture principal secretary Patrick Nanty; Eric Arnephy, managing director of the National Sports Council; and Antonio Gopal, president of the Seychelles National Olympic Committee, cheered on the lifters who gave them some compelling spectacles.

Sportslady of the Year 2000 Janet Thélermont, who stands a chance of reclaiming her title after another good season in terms of performances, bettered her own snatch as well as clean and jerk records by adding two kilograms to each one of them in the 75-kg category.

With the bar set at 102.5kg after having lifted 95kg, Thélermont failed her second snatch attempt but she came back stronger to lift the load to beat her old best of 100.5kg set on June 26 this year.

In the clean-and-jerk, Thélermont, voted the best senior female lifter and who went home with a purse of R1,600, easily lifted 127.5kg, 2kg more than her previous best of 125.5kg but her attempt to bring the record to 130kg was fruitless.

“I’m always happy when I perform  well and break records. This is why I love this sport. Today (Saturday), I relied more on techniques rather than strength to achieve those performances,” said Thélermont whose total of 230kg is also a record.

After failing all three of her snatch attempts at 55kg in the junior 48-kg division, Kathsia Télémaque took to the platform to heave a load of 65kg over her head with ease, improving her old clean-and-jerk record of 62.5kg.

“I’m disappointed with my overall performance despite breaking the clean and jerk record,” said 15-year-old Télémaque.

Like Thélermont and Télémaque, Julie Matatiken also heaved the barbells well in the clean-and-jerk event of the senior 48-kg category. With just 55kg in the snatch, Matatiken was fired up for the clean-and-jerk, lifting 71kg in her first attempt and 75kg in the second. Having already achieved her aim of twice breaking her 70.5kg old best, Matatiken attempted 77.5kg but failed.

“Records? This is what I’m after during competitions. I lifted the weight poorly in the snatch event because I was not yet in the groove. If I’m asked to do it again, I’m 100% sure I will break the record,” said the 24-year-old.

With outgoing Sportsman of the Year Steven Baccus out nursing a sore thumb, the Siméon brothers – Charles and Romeo – took centre-stage.

Younger brother Charles got his record in the clean-and-jerk and he punched the air in celebration as he left the platform.

With a best lift of 115kg in the snatch, Charles, competing in the 77-kg division, got the record of 157.5kg at the second attempt, improving his old best of 155kg set on June 26 this year during his first competition after having served a two-year ban.

“It was a tough competition, but I was well prepared. I’m satisfied with my performance. I have to thank my brothers, fans and friends for their help and not forgetting coach Dixie (William) for the good training,” said Charles.

Romeo, on the other hand, broke two records in the snatch with 115.5kg (old record 115kg) and clean-and-jerk with 143kg (old record 142.5kg). In fact, Romeo made just two lifts in the clean-and-jerk, bringing his total to 258.5kg for a new record.

“I’m tired. It requires great strength to lift this bar and I’m done for today. I am now going to concentrate on improving my performances next year,”  said 27-year-old Romeo.

The following are the complete results:
Kathsia Télémaque, 48-kg junior, (65kg in total, 0kg snatch and 65kg clean-and-jerk), Julie Matatiken 48-kg senior, (130kg in total, 55kg snatch and 75kg clean-and-jerk), Naira Uzice, 53-kg (110kg in total, 50kg snatch and 60kg clean-and-jerk), Beverly Jean, 58-kg junior, (85kg in total, 35kg snatch and 50kg clean-and-jerk), Clemetina Agricole, 58-kg junior, (140kg in total, 60kg snatch and 80kg clean-and-jerk), Christine Celeste, 63-kg junior, (105kg in total, 50kg snatch and 55kg clean-and-jerk), Safia Jumaye, 69-kg junior, (120kg in total, 55kg snatch and 65kg clean and jerk), Janet Thélermont, 75-kg, (230kg in total, 102.5kg snatch and 127.5kg clean and jerk).
Derreck Bara, 56-kg junior, (110kg in total, 50kg snatch and 60kg clean-and-jerk), Elijah Souris, 56-kg junior, (110kg in total, 50kg snatch and 60kg clean-and-jerk), Marcus Zoé, 62-kg junior, (150kg in total, 70kg snatch and 80kg clean-and-jerk), Terrence Dixie 69-kg (220kg in total, 100kg snatch and 120kg clean-and-jerk), Romeo Siméon, 69-kg, (258.5kg in total, 115.5kg snatch and 143kg clean-and-jerk), Charles Siméon, 77-kg, (272.5kg in total, 115kg snatch and 157.5kg clean-and-jerk), Dominic Ferley, 94-kg junior, (135kg in total, 60kg snatch and 75kg clean-and-jerk), Elvis Jeanne, 94-kg, (280kg in total, 130kg snatch and 150kg clean-and-jerk), Christopher Felix, 94-kg, (205kg in total, 95kg snatch and 110kg clean-and-jerk), Robert Kilindo, 105-kg, (130kg in total, 130kg snatch and 0kg clean-and-jerk).

G. G.