The big day for local sportsmen and women as well as fans is approaching. On Friday the best sportsman and sportswoman will be crowned during a ceremony at the NSC Hall, Roche Caïman. As usual everyone who has followed sports in the past year have their favourites picked and it goes without saying that results and performance are everything and so, to help you come to a decision as to whom the best sportsmen and women awards should go to, we at Sports Nation bring you a final look at the female finalists for the award. Lissa Labiche (Athletics) Former Sportswoman of the Year Lissa Labiche had a great year both locally and on the international stage. Locally, she had little competition as she claimed first places in all competitions she took part in National Championship (long jump 6.01m), National Junior Championships (as invitee long jump 5.64m), Open Season (long jump 5.68m), Special Events Final (high jump 1.75m and javelin throw 30.16m) and Special Events 1 (60m hurdles 9.34m). The high jump specialist won a total of nine gold medals in international competitions, six in high jump All-Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville 1.91m, Indian Ocean island Games in Reunion 1.81m, Kenya National Championships in Nairobi 1.85m, Southern African Region Senior Championships in Mauritius 1.91m, South Africa Open Championships in Potchefstroom 1.92m for a Seychelles record, and Meeting de saint Denis in Reunion 1.86m. She also took part in long jump events claiming gold at the IOIG in Reunion (6.27m) and Botswana National Championship (6.20m). Labiche also took part in the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing, China in August clearing the bar at 1.89m. Well, it is a big achievement to be in the top 10 as I have achieved a lot in 2015 and there is a possibility that I might be the winner, said Labiche. Juliette Ah-Wan (Badminton)
Juliette Ah-Wan is one of the most popular names associated with Seychelles sports thanks to her exploits in badminton throughout the years and is arguably among the country s best ever badminton players in history. Named the top badminton player of 2015, Ah-wan has been chosen as the 2015 female badminton player of the year after a year where she won one gold and two bronze medals at the All-Africa Games in Cong-Brazzaville. She claimed the gold medal with cousin Alisen Camille in the women s doubles, while the bronze medals came in the mixed doubles with Georgie Cupidon as partner and in the mixed team event along with Georgie Cupidon, Steve Malcouzane, Alisen Camille, Kervin Ghislain and Cynthia Course. At the IOIG, twice former Sportswoman of the Year Ah-Wan claimed two silver and two bronze medals for Seychelles and she was also victorious in the Curtain-raiser tournament locally. I am happy to feature among the top 10 and I think I will be among the top five as I had a great year. As far as who will win, I cannot say as I don t know how it s judged, said Ah-Wan. Alisen Camille (Badminton) Runner-up to Ah-Wan as the top female badminton player, Alisen Camille won one gold and one bronze medal at the All-Africa Games in Cong-Brazzaville. Together with cousin Juliette Ah-Wan they won the women s doubles gold medal, while her bronze medal came in the mixed team event along with Georgie Cupidon, Steve Malcouzane, Ah-Wan, Kervin Ghislain and Cynthia Course.
At the IOIG, former Sportswoman of the Year Camille claimed three silver medals in the women s singles, women s doubles and team event. Locally, she won five gold medals in the Curtain-raiser, the Seychelles-India Day tournament and at the Closing Cup. I m sure that I will definitely be among the top five, although I won t be the winner, but I will be happy with a top five finish, said Camille. Anniessa Benstrong (Table Tennis) The women s singles gold medal performance at the IOIG in Reunion was the highlight of Anniessa Benstrong s year. Having been training overseas, Benstrong did not take part in any local competition throughout 2015. She also finished in 14th place at the All-Africa Games in Congo, Brazzaville. She could not be reached for her comments. Alexus Laird (Swimming)
Based in the United States and a member of the Carmel club, backstroke specialist Alexus Laird has become a household name when it comes to Seychelles swimming after some great performances since deciding to represent the country. At the IOIG in 2015, Laird was the winner of seven medals three gold, two silver and two bronze. All her gold medals came in the backstroke events 50m (29.48 seconds), 100m (1:03.52) and 200m (2:20.79) and the times recorded went down as Seychelles and Games records. Laird, who took part in the Fina World Swimming Championship in Kazan, Russia, also competed at the All-Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville where she won the 50m backstroke bronze medal with a time of 30.07 seconds. She also broke a number of Seychelles records at both the IOIG and All-Africa games. Laird could not be reached for her comments as she is not in the country. Felicity Passon (Swimming) Passon was named the second best top female swimmer behind Alexus Laird and she also had a good 2015 season. She was the recipient of a massive five silver 100m freestyle (58.35 seconds), 200m freestyle (2:08.15), 50m butterfly (28.50 seconds), 100m butterfly (1:02.67), 4x200m freestyle relay (8:54.10) and five bronze medals 50m freestyle (26.72 seconds), 50m backstroke (31.32 seconds), 200m butterfly (2:28.65), 4x100m freestyle (4:01.15), 4x100m medley (4:47.84) at the IOIG. She also won a gold medal at the South West Short Course Championship with a performance of 3:47.80 in the 4x100m relay, a silver in the 50m butterfly (27.94 seconds) and a bronze in 50m backstroke (29.74 seconds). Passon also won five gold medals at the Thanyapura Invitational Swim meet in Thailand 50m backstroke (31.27 seconds), 50m butterfly (29.11 seconds), 100m freestyle (59.70 seconds), 50m freestyle (27.32 seconds) and 100m butterfly (1:04.63). She also won a silver medal in the 200m freestyle (2:11.20) at the same
championship. At the Forbisia Short Course Swimming Championship in Thailand, Passon claimed a gold medal in the 200m freestyle (2:09.63), four silver medals in the 50m freestyle (26.78 seconds), 100m freestyle (58.93 seconds), 50m butterfly (28.66 seconds) and 100m butterfly (1:05.40) as well as a bronze medal in the 200m butterfly (2:38.80). She also took part in the Fina World Junior Championship in Singapore and the Fina World Championship in Russia. She is the current holder of 10 national records. As she is training overseas, we were unable to contact Passon. Jerina Bonne (Volleyball) Crowned Sportswoman of the year in 1997, Jerina Bonne had said all along in 2015 that she would put an end to her career as a player. If she keeps her words, she would then go out on a high. In 2015, Bonne captained Arsu to winning all four local competitions Seychelles Volleyball Federation (SVF) Shield, SVF Cup, Space 95-sponsored first division league and Land Marine Cup. At the Indian Ocean Island Games in Reunion, she helped the Seychelles team retain the gold medal by beating Madagascar 3-1 in the final. Bonne, 41, also represented Seychelles at the All-Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville and after losing in the semifinal, the team lost the third place play-off match. She then skippered Arsu to retaining the women s CAVB Indian Ocean Zone 7 Club Championship title a record nine after past wins in 1997, 2008 and 2014 in Seychelles, in 1998 and 2015 in Madagascar, in 2002, 2003 and 2009 in Mauritius, and in 2006 in Reunion. Bonne was also voted the Most Valuable Player, best receptionist and best defender of the tournament. I am happy with this achievement, especially at my age, but I don t have any chance of winning. I think Lissa Labiche will be the winner, said Jerina Bonne. Marielle Bonne (Volleyball)
Daughter of Jerina, former pro Marielle Bonne was named the second top female volleyballer after helping Arsu to a quadruple, winning the Seychelles Volleyball Federation (SVF) Shield, SVF Cup, Space 95-sponsored first division league and Land Marine Cup. At the IOIG, she helped the Seychelles team retain the gold medal by beating Madagascar 3-1 in the final alongside her mother who was the side s captain. She was also part of the Arsu team who retained the women s CAVB Indian Ocean Zone 7 Club Championship title. She was also named the best attacker. I am happy to be in the top 10 as I was not expecting it, but I don t think I will be in the top five, said Marielle Bonne. Clementina Agricole (Weightlifting) Two-time and outgoing Sportswoman of the Year Clementina Agricole won three gold medals at the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) in August in Reunion where she managed a performance of 91kg in snatch and 115kg in clean & jerk for a total lift of 206kg in the 63kg category. She also won one silver medal in clean & jerk (115kg) and two bronze medals in snatch (91kg) and total lift (206kg) at the All-Africa Games held in Congo, Brazzaville. At the World Weightlifting Championships in Houston, United States of America, sportswoman of the Year Agricole finished in 26th out of 36 lifters with a total of 191kg in the women s 63kg weight class. She lifted 81kg in snatch at the third attempt and her best effort in
clean-and-jerk was 110kg for a total of 191kg. Locally, Agricole was the winner of the 63kg category at the Open Championship held at Bel Ombre with a performance of 88kg in snatch and 111kg in clean & jerk. Clementina is training overseas and therefore we could not reach her for comments. Janet Georges (Weightlifting) After not featuring among the top 10 since 2012, Janet Georges is back among the best after winning the award four times in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010 a record she shares with former athlete Lindy Leveau-Agricole. Georges was the winner of the 69kg category at the Open Championship with a performance of 82kg in snatch and 105kg in clean & jerk. At the IOIG, she won three gold medals in the 69kg category, lifting 90kg in snatch and 105kg in clean & jerk for a total of 195kg. She also competed at the All-Africa Games, where she just missed out on a medal place as she finished fourth. I am happy as it shows that I am still a force in the sport of weightlifting and I m satisfied with my performance. I see myself finishing maybe in fifth or sixth place, but I think the winner will be Juliette Ah-Wan, said Georges. S. N.