Two silver medals, one bronze as badminton competition ends |08 August 2015

Seychelles just could not defend the four gold medals won on home soil in 2011 as they lost the two finals they were involved on the final day of the badminton competition of the ninth Indian Ocean Island Games.

After beating her injured cousin Juliette Ah-Wan 2-0 (21-10, 21-10) in the semifinal, Alisen Camille just could not maintain the winning momentum as she lost the women’s singles final 0-2 (15-21, 5-21) to Mauritian Kate Foo Kune yesterday at the Gymnase Michel Debré in Saint-André, Reunion.

Camille then joined forces with Ah-Wan for the women’s doubles final but they again lost 1-2 (14-21, 21-14, 18-21) to the Mauritian pair of Kate Foo Kune and Yeldy Louison.

Ah-Wan also collected a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event with Georgie Cupidon as partner.

Mauritius won all five finals of the individual competition through Julien Paul (men’s singles), Kate Foo Kune (women’s singles), Sahir Edoo and Yeldy Louison (mixed doubles), Kate Foo Kune and Yeldy Louison (women’s doubles), Julien Paul and Aatish Lubah (men’s doubles).

The Mauritians also won the women’s and men’s team events for a clean sweep of the gold medals.

Seychelles’ other medal – a bronze – came in the women’s team event.

Speaking to Sports Nation coach Calix Francourt said the competition has been good, although there have been a few errors as some officials have made questionable calls especially when playing against representatives of the host nation.

He added that most of Seychelles’ losses are a result of our own mistakes, something our experienced players shouldn’t be doing at this level.

Coach Francourt added that once back in Seychelles they will be looking to recruit young players to replace the likes of Ah-Wan, Cupidon and Steve Malcouzane.

G. G.