Southern Region Senior Athletics Championship - Labiche, Azemia makes golden return |14 June 2017

Female high jump specialist Lissa Labiche and male hurdler Ned Azemia made a triumphant return to Seychelles yesterday afternoon after they each claimed a gold medal at the Southern Region Senior Athletics Championship held in Harare, Zimbabwe during the weekend.

The athletes were met at the Seychelles International Airport by the principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre and the chief executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) Giovanna Rousseau who presented them with a hamper each.

Labiche, who was injured during the tournament, managed to clear the bar at 1.80m to claim the gold medal ahead of the other competitors in her first international competition since competing at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games almost a year ago.

“It was my first international competition for the year and I am satisfied with my result although I am still recovering from an injury,” said Labiche.

She added: “The competition wasn’t really of the level I expected it and there were some issues with regards to the organisation itself, but I am happy to have won the gold medal.”

Labiche explained that she is now putting the final touches to her preparations for the Jeux de la Francophonie which will be held in Ivory Coast in July and she has also said she will be at her best and will probably bring back a medal.

As for Azemia, the 400m hurdles national record holder, he crossed the finish line in Harare in 50.94 seconds to clinch the gold medal.

Azemia’s performance was not too far from his 50.74 seconds record set during the 2016 Rio Olympics and he said he was pleased with the performance.

“It was the first time I competed at senior level at this championship and I am happy to have won a gold medal in my first international outing of the year as I have been working really hard,” he added.

He continued: “The competition was tough, but now my focus is on the Jeux de la Francophonie which I am looking forward to.”

Sharry Dodin, Leeroy Henriette, Joanne Lou-Toy, Yannick Magnan and Iven Moïse are the other athletes who arrived yesterday, along with coaches Giovanni Fanny and Carlos Sanchez.

S. N.