Interview with Sportsman of the Year 2014 Andrique Allisop |07 February 2015

‘This winning feeling is much more special’

Not since the days when we had the trio of Gerry Legras, Rival Payet and Roland Raforme has there been a more talented boxer. Lifting the Sportsman of the Year title for a second time, Andrique Allisop is showing that he is undoubtedly the best sportsman in the country.

Last year the young boxer put in high level performances that have seen him crowned Seychelles' top male athlete. He won two gold medals in the 60kg weight category at the Limassol Boxing Championship in Cyprus and the fifth African Boxing Cup in South Africa. He also competed in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland winning his first fight and losing in the last 16 stage.

He said: "This second award feels different to me, as I feel more deserving of it when I look back at my performances throughout the year 2014."

Allisop won his first Sportsman of the Year award back in 2012 and he feels his performances weren't as good as what he achieved last year.

"My performances were great last year. We went to Europe and competed against top boxers from the continent and showed them what tiny Seychelles is capable of. I took that same enthusiasm and produced another good performance at the Africa Cup and I am very pleased with my results," the young boxer explained.

Preparations for the forthcoming international competitions, such as the Indian Ocean Island Games and the All-Africa Games, are already underway for many sports and boxing is no different.

"Soon I will be leaving the country along with Keddy Agnes for Sofia, Bulgaria where we will be attending a training camp which will be followed by a competition and we hope to produce some good performances ahead of future international competitions," Allisop revealed.

He also told Sports Nation that he believes boxing can have a bright future if the youngsters who are practising the sport keep working hard and develop their abilities.

And with Keven Kilindo winning the Young Male Athlete of the Year award, surely the future is bright for the sport, but Allisop said he hopes the authorities will improve the training venue.

"The facilities we have are not the best, but those of us who have been here for a while are used to it. But I do feel some improvements are needed to keep attracting more young boxers," he added.

Boxers currently train inside the National Sports Council hall and Allisop believes it is not private enough for training, as there can be a lot of distractions during training.

On a brighter note, Allisop will be hoping to keep pushing himself to compete at a good level and to hopefully retain the title at the end of the 2015 season.

S. N.