Weightlifting dominating the Mauritian Sporting Arena
Weightlifters’ Miss Shalinee Valaydon (26 years old) and Mr. Yvan Pierrot (17 years old) were awarded the Sportswoman of the Year and Junior Sportsman of the Year respectively during a grandiose ceremony held last week at the Intercontinental Hotel, Balaclava in Mauritius. It’s the first time in the history of our sport a weightlifter won the senior award in Mauritius. The last time a weightlifter was honored with a national sports award was in 2002 whereby Mr. Hansley Gaya won the Junior Sportsman category. Miss Shalinee Valaydon’s 1 gold medal and 2 silver medals won at the 2013 African Weightlifting Championships in Morocco already placed her as top favorite for the title. Her season was also highlighted by the France National Championship’s gold medal she won in March 2013, and various good performances including National Records she improved at local events she participated. Yvan Pierrot who had rather a complicated season due to a Motorcycle accident, he encountered in August 2013, had almost compromised his participation at the Commonwealth Championships in Penang – Malaysia. However, he resumed training by mid September and with the guidance and training program set by his coaches and his determination and devotion in training he was able to produce an outstanding performance at the Commonwealth Championships. He won the gold medal in Youth and bronze medal in Junior. He even equaled the snatch Commonwealth Championships Youth Record. Apart from the 2 awards won by Weightlifters’, Mauritius former National Coach Mr. Gino Souprayen was nominated for the Coach of the Year Award. This award was however, quite reasonably won by the Kick Boxing Coach whose athletes won gold at the World Championships. The Mauritius Amateur Weightlifters’ and Powerlifters’ Association (MAWPLA) is extremely glad and honored by these achievements. Source:
