Malagasy Badistas return to the continent with renewed ambition. From February 13 to 15 in Gaborone (Botswana), the African Team Championships will be held for the first time without a mixed event, clearly separating men and women.
Lalaina Ramanana-Rahary now has the strongest hopes! Based in France with Les Volants des Dômes, he plays in a competitive environment which recently allowed him to climb to 604th in the world in men’s singles, with 1,540 points.
His best ranking (544th) shows that he knows how to keep up with players experienced on international circuits. Last year, for his first continental appearance under the Malagasy colors, he reached the round of 16.
At his side, Tokinirina Razafimandimby, known as “Joy”, remains a sure bet. Double champion of Madagascar in the 1st series over the last two years, he is ranked 687th in the world with 920 points. His best rank (667ᵉ) testifies to his potential to hold his opponents high.
Herizo Rakotoarinivo, former national champion in the 1st series, completes the top three with his experience. Although he no longer occupies the forefront of the domestic scene, he knows perfectly well the demands of a team championship and knows how to transcend himself when the flag is at stake. Irina Razakasoavina, runner-up of Madagascar in the 2nd series last year, brings essential additional energy to the essential squad in the five team matches (three singles, two doubles).
Faced with the usual favorites: Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Madagascar no longer has the status of simple outsider. The bronze medal won in 1998 by the mixed team remains the best line on the national list, but twenty-eight years later, this generation has the weapons to write a new chapter.
United
