9th Indian Ocean Island Games – Reunion |04 August 2015

Lissa Labiche wins first gold medal for Team Seychelles

“It is the first time track and field athletics win the first gold medal for Seychelles at the Indian Ocean Island Games, so I am happy, but at the same time I am disappointed with my performance as I could have done better.”

That was the reaction of female high jump specialist Lissa Labiche as she became the first Seychellois to win a gold medal at the ninth Indian Ocean Island Games in Reunion.

Labiche, who has managed to jump at 1.92m this year in South Africa for a new Seychelles record, had little competition and finished with a best performance of 1.81m despite having a go at 1.85m.

“I think I was not concentrating as much, but I am happy to have won the gold medal and I dedicate it to my daughter,” Labiche added.

Twice gold medallist in 2011 in Seychelles, Labiche has said she will be attempting to win a second gold medal in the long jump with a projected jump of 6.30m.

There was also a first silver medal for Seychelles in athletics as Iven Moïse finished second in the 10,000m race behind Malagasy Mampitraotsy Jean who clocked 31 minutes 06.44 seconds. Moïse’s time was 32 minutes 35.91 seconds.

The Seychellois athletes also won four bronze medals yesterday.

The day’s bronze medallists were Richard Sophola (shot put for Para-athletes with 8.10m), Dean William (men’s hammer throw with 49.62m), Athina Freminot (women’s triple jump with 11.82m) and Anna Barra (women’s 5,000, racing walking in 28:58'.61).

It is clear that the pressure to perform is getting to some athletes as both William and Freminot said their performance was affected by pressure to succeed.

There were also disappointments for Seychellois athletes as Diane Nioze has been ruled out for the rest of the competition after injuring her knee, while Ned Azemia on the final straight after knocking a hurdle in the 400m hurdles event when he was in position for a podium finish.

Nioze was scheduled to compete in the 200m sprint and 4x100m relay.

S. N.