Interview with Sportswoman of the Year Lissa Labiche |03 February 2016

‘I urge all youths to take up a sport to keep away from bad influences’

 There was never any argument when her name was called as the Sportswoman of the Year 2015 as most of the general public had come to the consensus that she deserved the title after a great year.

Lissa Labiche showed up at the Seychelles NATION office yesterday morning full of energy as she was scheduled to have an interview with us. Along with her was of course her three-year-old daughter, Lerysa, whom we hope might be able to emulate her mother’s successes in the future.

After a great year 2015 during which she won nine gold medals and improved the Seychelles national high jump record to 1.92m, Labiche has a lot to say and we bring you excerpts from the interview we had with the 22-year-old.

Sports Nation: This is the second time you win the Sportswoman of the Year title. What does it mean to you?

Labiche: Well, it shows my determination and perseverance as in 2014 I did not perform too well as I had just returned from giving birth to my daughter, but I think I improved a lot last year.

Sports Nation: How would you describe the difference between your win last year and when you won the title for the first time back in 2012?

 Labiche: In 2012 I knew I was going to win as I had won the women’s high jump silver medal at the 14th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Junior Athletics Championships with a height of 1.88m for a Seychelles record. I was also crowned women’s high jump champion of the 18th African Senior Athletics Championships, held in Porto-Novo, Benin after clearing the bar at 1.86m – a then Seychelles record. After the 2012 season, I was very excited to win the title for a first time. This time the feeling was different.

Sports Nation: How would you describe your 2015 season in terms of your performances?

 Labiche: In 2015 I competed in a number of competitions along with two major games – the Indian Ocean Island Games and All-Africa Games. It wasn’t easy, but I was able to push on and achieve what I wanted and won a few gold medals, as well as setting a new Seychelles record of 1.92m.

 Sports Nation: And what is your aim for this year?

 Labiche: My aim in 2016 is to qualify for the Olympic Games as I only need to add one centimetre to my personal best which is 1.92m and so I will need to work hard to achieve that.

 Sports Nation: Going back to where it all started, how did you begin your journey into athletics?

 Labiche: I started when I was about 14 years old, but I also tried out other sports including basketball at the time. I did not see myself going far in team sport, so I decided to go for athletics. I started at school and it was my physical education teacher Joseph Adam who encouraged me to do it. That was when I noticed I have the ability to perform and this year will be nine years since I’ve been doing this sport.

 Sports Nation: You had to stop competing for a while as you gave birth to your baby girl. How hard was it to come back to the sport you love?

 Labiche: It was not easy as the first competition I took part in when I came back was the Commonwealth Games and I did not really want to leave my daughter behind, but I managed to do it and after that what I needed to do was to reduce my weight and regain my form.

 Sports Nation: What sacrifices have you made in order to be successful in this sport?

 Labiche: Well, firstly it’s the fact that I have to leave my baby behind each time I have to compete overseas and I can say that I don’t really have a social life as I have to take care of my child and train as well. But, I have managed to cope with it.

 Sports Nation: Your coach Carlos Sanchez Vizcaino was named the top coach for the year 2015. What influence has he had on your career?

 Labiche: Well, he has always been there for me and encouraged me a lot after I gave birth. Even if sometimes we argue we manage to work well together and I am happy he won the best coach award. That’s because three high jumpers featured among the best in the Sports Awards of the Year crowning ceremony. I hope they keep working hard and hopefully can follow in my footsteps.

 Sports Nation: What do you think needs to be done to further help the development of athletics in Seychelles?

 Labiche: I think the young athletes need some incentives as people do not want to do sports for free nowadays. They should also have more exposure which will help them acquire more experience and develop faster.

Sports Nation: You were doing athletics while you were still in school, how did you manage to find the balance between sports and studies?

 Labiche: It wasn’t easy as I had to travel a lot during school days and even at post-secondary level. So I think it’s time the Ministry of Education works together with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports to help the athletes as I know some of them who have had to repeat a whole year of school after they missed a lot of classes because of sports.

Sports Nation: Who are you role models?

 Labiche: Well, I was inspired by Blanka Vlašić, who is a high jumper, but nowadays my main role models are my mother, sister and my boyfriend who have always been behind me.

 Sports Nation: Any advice for our young sportsmen and women?

 Labiche: I want to encourage all young people to take up a sport as it helps to keep you away from bad influences. I would also like to urge sports associations and federations to also push to get more youths into sports and give them some incentives as nowadays the youths are more focused on their education and some with their social lives. So it is not easy to get them to stay in sport.

Sport Nation: Anything you wish to add before we end?

Labiche: I want to thank my coach, my mother and my family who have been there for me. Also the Seychelles Athletics Federation, the NationalSports Council and the Seychelles Olympics and Commonwealth Games Association, who made it possible for me to travel to all the various competitions I took part in last year. I also want to thank all my fans for their support as well.

 Interview conducted by S. N.