The Big Island shone with twelve gold medals at the Madagascar International Tournament. The competition took place this weekend at the Ankorondrano gymnasium.
Conclusive test for the Games of the Islands. The international tournament organized by the Malagasy Judo Federation (FMJ) this weekend at the gymnasium of Ankorondrano was marked by the clear domination of the fighters of the Big Island. The competition finally saw only the participation of Malagasy and Reunionese. The Mauritian and Seychellois delegations could not come at the last moment.
Madagascar won twelve gold medals out of the fifteen at stake. The host country won five crowns for boys. In the heavyweight categories, André Lovasoa from CCS beat Reunionese Laurent Voltaire in the over 100kg category and Ricky Ramalanjaona from Cosfa beats Mickael Laterriere in the -100kg category. As for the lightweights -60kg, Kevin Royce Andriamanoelina of JCB beats Thomas Haudebourg and Rayan Ravelojaona of Esca dismisses Samuel Latchoumane in the -73kg category. The 90kg final was a Malagasy-Malagasy affair and victory went to Sergio Karamaly of CCS against Sedra Ranaivoarisoa of Esca. Two other finals were 100% Reunionese. In the 81kg category, Grimaud Clément defeated Gilles Courteaud and at 66kg Bapin Vincent won against his compatriot Stéphane Rousseaud.
Five doubles
On the girls’ side, Madagascar collected six gold medals out of seven. The African junior champion, Laura Razafy Rasoanaivo of the St Michel club won against Orlane Zitte Payet in the -70kg category and Narindra Rakotovao also of the ASM defeats Reunionese Naomi Raharison. “We were able to learn lessons a few months from the Islands Games. Participating in such a competition is very important because it was an opportunity to measure our level. If we take the preparation seriously, we can win a lot of gold medals at the games,” says Laura Razafy. Four finals were disputed between fighters of the country.
The lucky champions are, among others, Natacha Razafindrakalo (48kg), Fanjanirina Rabe-Harinirina (52kg), Frederica Ralalaharisoa (63kg) and Zo Hajanirina Randriambololona (78kg). Mayla Bertschy wins the only precious metal for Reunion by beating Durinah Ramiandrisoa in the over 78kg category. In team combat, the Mada 1 formation composed of Rayan, Sergio, Lovasoa, Narindra, Laura and Haingo outclasses the second Reunionese team formed by Chabat, Françoise, Gilles, Mayla and Latterière. Rayan, Sergio, Lovasoa, Narindra, Laura thus achieved a double each. “The number ones in the country have confirmed their place in their respective category. We can thus say that they are at the height of the Reunionese. It was a kind of benchmark in the region and we will have to rectify it later” underlines the national technical director, Mamy Randriamasinoro. The next appointment will be the national championships on December 28 and 29.
